damme

9.9

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

interjection

Archaic

: ¡vaya!

Well, damme! That was unexpected!

Examples

The old sailor shouted, "Damme, that's a fine ship!" as it sailed by.
In the play, the character often uses damme to show his astonishment.
"Damme, I never expected to see you here!" he exclaimed.
I can't believe it, damme!
Damme, I never expected to see you here!
I thought you were out of town; damme, what a surprise!
He exclaimed, "Damme! I can't believe you did that!"

Synonyms

heck

vsdamme

Informal

422 7.5

A small amount of care or worry about something

is older and less toned down, often sounding more emphatic

hah

vsdamme

Informal

76 4.6

A short laugh showing surprise or small victory

is older and used mainly to add emphasis rather than laughter

oooh

vsdamme

Informal

31 8.7

A quiet sound people make when they are surprised or impressed

is older and more exclamatory, not just an emotional reaction

holy shit

vsdamme

Offensive

26 9.9

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

is old-fashioned and nonvulgar, used for emphasis or shock

golly

vsdamme

Archaic

24 9.9

A word people say to show mild surprise

is also old-fashioned but often used for stronger emphasis

sheesh

vsdamme

Slang

22 9.8

A short word people say to show surprise, admiration, or annoyance

is old-fashioned and less modern in emotional directness

lordy

vsdamme

Informal

17 9.4

A short informal cry showing surprise or strong feeling

is more old-fashioned and quaint in tone

ooooh

vsdamme

Informal

16 8.3

A short sound people say to show surprise or excitement

is older and more formal feeling, used for emphasis

wah

vsdamme

Informal

14 9.9

A short cry showing surprise or excitement

is older and more structured as a verbal exclamation

goddam

vsdamme

Offensive

9 9.9

Adds strong anger or surprise to what you say

is also emphatic but uses an older, less vulgar form

tarnation

vsdamme

Archaic

8 9.9

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

keeps an old-fashioned feel but is less regionally colored

goodness gracious

vsdamme

Archaic

5 7.5

A short phrase people say to show surprise or shock

is similarly dated but tends to be shorter and punchier

gawd

vsdamme

Slang

4 9.9

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

is more old-fashioned and often feels less crude

blimey

vsdamme

4 9.5

A short word people say when they are surprised or shocked

is older and carries a quaint or dated flavor

aaahh

vsdamme

Informal

4 9.1

A soft sound you make when something feels good or brings relief

is archaic and more for emphasis than relief

ohhhh

vsdamme

Informal

3 8.4

A short sound people make when they suddenly understand something

is old-fashioned and shorter, used for direct emphasis

oooo

vsdamme

Informal

3 9.9

A short sound people make to show surprise or admiration

is older and more formal or quaint in tone

egad

vsdamme

Archaic

3 9.9

An old word people say to show surprise or shock

is similarly old-fashioned but a bit more about emphasis than shock

whammo

vsdamme

Informal

2 9.9

A short shout showing sudden surprise or strong impact

is dated and used more for surprise or emphasis generally

oho

vsdamme

Archaic

2 9.9

A short cry showing surprise or sudden understanding

is older and used mainly for simple emphasis

begod

vsdamme

Archaic

1 9.9

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

shares old-fashioned oath style but focuses more on emphasis

gor

vsdamme

Archaic

1 9.9

An old word people say to show surprise or strong feeling

is equally dated but often softer in tone

strewth

vsdamme

Archaic

1 9.9

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

is old-fashioned too but commonly milder in emotion

lackaday

vsdamme

Archaic

1 9.9

A word you say to show regret, surprise, or disappointment

is likewise dated but focuses more on emphasis than regret

woa

vsdamme

Informal

1 9.9

A short shout showing surprise or asking for attention

is dated and used solely to show surprise or emphasis

begorra

vsdamme

Archaic

1 9.9

An old Irish word said to show surprise or strong feeling

has the same dated feel but is more general in use

gorry

vsdamme

Archaic

1 9.9

A mild old word people say to show surprise

is similar but typically feels slightly stronger or crisper

whillikers

vsdamme

Archaic

9.9

A word people used long ago to show surprise

is equally dated but leans more toward simple emphasis

zooks

vsdamme

Archaic

9.9

An old exclamation used to show surprise

is the same old-fashioned type but slightly more forceful

zounds

vsdamme

Archaic

9.9

An old word people say to show surprise or anger

keeps old-fashioned flavor but is milder and more emphatic

egads

vsdamme

Archaic

9.9

An old-fashioned shout said to show surprise or shock

is similarly dated but often used for emphasis rather than shock

bedad

vsdamme

Archaic

9.9

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

has the same dated feel but is more general in use

bejabbers

vsdamme

Archaic

9.9

An old word people say to show surprise or strong feeling

is similar but tends to be slightly less playful and more blunt

gadzooks

vsdamme

Archaic

9.9

An old-fashioned shout to show surprise or annoyance

keeps an archaic tone but usually implies less shock

sumbitch

vsdamme

Offensive

9.9

A rude spoken word used to show surprise, anger or admiration

is older and less crude, focusing on surprise or emphasis

epa

vsdamme

Informal

9.9

A short word people say to show surprise, admiration, or excitement

is older and more formal sounding while serving the same role

jeepers

vsdamme

Archaic

9.9

An old-fashioned word people say to show surprise

is similar but usually felt more emphatic or dramatic

in thunderation

vsdamme

Archaic

9.9

Said to show surprise or doubt

is more dated and shorter while serving similar emphasis

mirabile dictu

vsdamme

Archaic

9.9

A short phrase people say to show surprise at something amazing

is old-fashioned too but plain and used for general emphasis

oh my heck

vsdamme

Informal

9.9

A short phrase people say when they feel surprised or do not believe something

is more old-fashioned and lacks the modern euphemistic softness

swounds

vsdamme

Archaic

9.9

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

is old-fashioned but more conversational and less stilted

Surface Forms

damme main

Etymology

Damme comes from an old short form of the word damn, as in the phrase God damn me. It began as a quick, strong cry and so is used to show 'surprise' or emphasis, which is why it appears as an old-fashioned exclamation.