bejabbers

1 9.9

An old word people say to show surprise or strong feeling

interjection
/bɪˈdʒæbərz/

Archaic

: ¡caramba!

Well, I'll be bejabbers!

Examples

The old man exclaimed 'bejabbers!' when he heard the news.
He jumped back and shouted, 'bejabbers, that startled me!'
Bejabbers, I never expected to see you here today!
Can you believe it? I'm just bejabbers!
Bejabbers! I can't believe how quickly the time has passed.
When she opened the door to see her surprise party, she gasped, 'bejabbers!'
He exclaimed, 'Bejabbers! I had no idea you were coming!'

Synonyms

heck

vsbejabbers

Informal

448 7.5

A small amount of care or worry about something

is the old-fashioned exclamation that is stronger and more dated

holy shit

vsbejabbers

Offensive

169 9.9

A strong phrase people say when they are very surprised or shocked

is the old-fashioned exclamation used for surprise or emphasis in polite speech

golly

vsbejabbers

Archaic

63 9.9

A word people say to show mild surprise

is the classic old-fashioned exclamation used for surprise or emphasis broadly

lordy

vsbejabbers

Informal

29 9.4

A short informal cry showing surprise or strong feeling

is the old-fashioned exclamation that feels more dated and emphatic

ooooh

vsbejabbers

Informal

16 8.3

A short sound people say to show surprise or excitement

is the old-fashioned exclamation used for surprise or emphasis in words

jeepers

vsbejabbers

Archaic

15 9.9

An old-fashioned word people say to show surprise

is the old-fashioned exclamation for surprise or emphasis without softening

goodness gracious

vsbejabbers

Archaic

11 7.5

A short phrase people say to show surprise or shock

is the old-fashioned exclamation used plainly for surprise or emphasis

blimey

vsbejabbers

10 9.5

A short word people say when they are surprised or shocked

is the old-fashioned exclamation used mainly for surprise or emphasis

bejesus

vsbejabbers

Informal

9 9.9

A strong old word people say to show surprise or shock

is the nonreligious old-fashioned exclamation used for surprise or emphasis

oooo

vsbejabbers

Informal

9 9.9

A short sound people make to show surprise or admiration

is the old-fashioned exclamation used for surprise or emphasis in words

gawd

vsbejabbers

Slang

7 9.9

A short informal word people say when they feel surprise, shock, or annoyance

is the old-fashioned exclamation used for surprise or emphasis in dated speech

tarnation

vsbejabbers

Archaic

7 9.9

An old-fashioned shout showing surprise, anger, or strong feeling

is the old-fashioned exclamation for surprise or emphasis without anger

egad

vsbejabbers

Archaic

7 9.9

An old word people say to show surprise or shock

is the straightforward old-fashioned exclamation for surprise or emphasis

glory be

vsbejabbers

Archaic

6 8.6

Words people say to show relief, joy or surprise

is the old-fashioned exclamation focused on surprise or emphasis without gratitude

oho

vsbejabbers

Archaic

4 9.9

A short cry showing surprise or sudden understanding

is the old-fashioned exclamation mainly for surprise or emphatic reaction rather than insight

gadzooks

vsbejabbers

Archaic

2 9.9

An old-fashioned shout to show surprise or annoyance

is the basic old-fashioned exclamation used especially for surprise or emphasis

egads

vsbejabbers

Archaic

2 9.9

An old-fashioned shout said to show surprise or shock

is the old-fashioned exclamation centered on surprise or emphasis alone

boi

vsbejabbers

Slang

2 9.9

An informal word said to show surprise, doubt, or annoyance

is the old-fashioned exclamation used for surprise or emphasis in speech

geesh

vsbejabbers

Informal

2 9.9

An informal word people say to show surprise, annoyance, or that they do not believe something

is the old-fashioned exclamation used for surprise or emphasis rather than casual slang

whillikers

vsbejabbers

Archaic

1 9.9

A word people used long ago to show surprise

is the common old-fashioned exclamation used simply for surprise or emphasis

begod

vsbejabbers

Archaic

1 9.9

A short old word people say to show surprise or strong feeling

is the old-fashioned exclamation without the explicit religious reference

damme

vsbejabbers

Archaic

1 9.9

An old word that people say to show surprise or strong feeling

is the standard old-fashioned exclamation for surprise or emphasis

swounds

vsbejabbers

Archaic

1 9.9

An old word people say to show surprise, anger, or shock

is the old-fashioned exclamation used for surprise or emphasis without archaic force

hoho

vsbejabbers

Informal

1 8.4

A short laugh that shows surprise or amusement

is the old-fashioned exclamation used primarily for surprise or emphasis

gor

vsbejabbers

Archaic

1 9.9

An old word people say to show surprise or strong feeling

is the general old-fashioned exclamation rather than a marked variant

gorry

vsbejabbers

Archaic

1 9.9

A mild old word people say to show surprise

is the older exclamation used more broadly rather than always mild

begorra

vsbejabbers

Archaic

1 9.9

An old Irish word said to show surprise or strong feeling

is the general old-fashioned exclamation focusing on surprise or emphasis

sacr bleu

vsbejabbers

Archaic

1 9.9

A short cry of surprise used to sound French

is the old-fashioned exclamation used for surprise or emphasis without foreign affect

strewth

vsbejabbers

Archaic

1 9.9

An old-fashioned word said to show surprise or strong feeling

is the usual old-fashioned exclamation without the extra strong feeling

bejeezus

vsbejabbers

Informal

1 9.9

A loud informal shout that shows surprise, shock, or strong annoyance

is the old-fashioned exclamation used mainly for surprise or emphasis

bedad

vsbejabbers

Archaic

1 9.9

A short old Irish phrase people say to show surprise or strong feeling

is the nonregional old-fashioned exclamation used more generally

bejeebus

vsbejabbers

Informal

1 9.9

A strong sudden feeling of fear or shock that you get when surprised

is the old-fashioned exclamation that focuses on surprise or emphasis not fear

zooks

vsbejabbers

Archaic

1 9.9

An old exclamation used to show surprise

is the broader old-fashioned exclamation without the quaint flavor

by gummy

vsbejabbers

9.9

A word you say to show surprise or strong feeling

is the old-fashioned exclamation used for surprise or emphasis more generally

Surface Forms

bejabbers main

Etymology

The word bejabbers probably comes from an old Irish way to soften the phrase 'by Jesus' into a milder, playful sound. That's why bejabbers is used as an old-fashioned exclamation to show surprise or strong feeling.