bejabers

9.9

An old Irish word said to show surprise or strong feeling

interjection

Archaic

: ¡caramba!

Bejabers! I can't believe you did that!

Examples

The old man exclaimed 'bejabers' as he heard the unexpected news.
What a surprise, bejabers!
Bejabers, I have never seen such a storm in all my life!
He shouted 'bejabers!' when the horse nearly threw him off.
Bejabers, I have never seen such a storm in all my life!
He shouted 'bejabers!' when the horse nearly threw him off.
The old man exclaimed 'bejabers' as he heard the unexpected news.

Synonyms

golly

vsbejabers

Archaic

24 9.9

A word people say to show mild surprise

leans toward emphasis and Irish use rather than pure amazement

lordy

vsbejabers

Informal

17 9.4

A short informal cry showing surprise or strong feeling

is old-fashioned and tied to Irish English rather than casual slang

blimey

vsbejabers

4 9.5

A short word people say when they are surprised or shocked

is older and used especially in Irish English for emphasis

egad

vsbejabers

Archaic

3 9.9

An old word people say to show surprise or shock

is usually for surprise or emphasis rather than annoyance

gor

vsbejabers

Archaic

1 9.9

An old word people say to show surprise or strong feeling

is more tied to Irish speech than broad old expressions

begod

vsbejabers

Archaic

1 9.9

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

lacks the explicit religious oath and is Irish in tone

begorra

vsbejabers

Archaic

1 9.9

An old Irish word said to show surprise or strong feeling

is similar but also conveys agreement alongside surprise

strewth

vsbejabers

Archaic

1 9.9

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

is mainly linked to Irish English rather than to general use

gorry

vsbejabers

Archaic

1 9.9

A mild old word people say to show surprise

is stronger and more typical in lively Irish speech

bedad

vsbejabers

Archaic

9.9

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

is similar but used more widely across Irish English

damme

vsbejabers

Archaic

9.9

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

is the Irish-associated old form rather than a general exclamation

jeepers

vsbejabers

Archaic

9.9

An old-fashioned word people say to show surprise

is older sounding and often used for emphasis rather than shock

whillikers

vsbejabers

Archaic

9.9

A word people used long ago to show surprise

is similar but is also known in Irish English use

egads

vsbejabers

Archaic

9.9

An old-fashioned shout said to show surprise or shock

is used more for surprise or emphasis in Irish contexts

bejesus

vsbejabers

Informal

9.9

A strong old word people say to show surprise or shock

is older and especially common in Irish English for emphasis

bejeezus

vsbejabers

Informal

9.9

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

is old-fashioned and more tied to Irish English than informal slang

bejeebus

vsbejabers

Informal

9.9

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

expresses surprise or emphasis rather than strong fear

sacr bleu

vsbejabers

Archaic

9.9

A short cry of surprise used to sound French

is native to Irish English rather than an imitation of French speech

Surface Forms

bejabers main

bejabbers main

Etymology

The word bejabers is an old Irish exclamation. One popular story says it comes from people saying 'by Jesus' so quickly that the phrase became a single lively word, and that's why bejabers is used to show surprise or strong feeling.