Crikey, Steve

While the derivation and entomology of the word 'crikey' in Australia is vague, it is used occasionally, and is not generally thought to be extreme or grossly profane or blasphemous. That's what the people say. But it goes along with cripes or crumbs or heck or damn, and is part of casual talk. But, when you trace them more, they have something about them that calls attention. Crikey is like Christ. Heck is nearly hell. And struth is a bit like God’s-Truth. And damn—expunged to hell, and it's spelled and meant to be that way.

So then, of course, as you can see, some of them are very likely close to outright profanity.

It is right to show that crickey is similar to the spontaneous outburst of "Jesus-Christ" (as a former Aussie Prime Minister was often heard to exclaim), as both terms are derived from a contraction or misuse of the name of the One who is revered and worshipped by millions of Christian believers. It’s more than only offending the Christian; it’s a reflection upon Diety that makes it different.

Thus, the swearer, the profaner publicly reveals themselves to be those who do not understand know love worship or respect the Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible, who is the Creator of the world, it's Saviour, and the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The same is true of the word bloody referring to Jesus' cruel suffering on the Cross for sin.

And of course, these are words and terms not included in conversations by serious Christian people. Or by the educated, cultured, or socially aware people, either. That’s what makes them stand out. The nature of how and when they are used.

It is a strange matter that profaners seem to make vulgar use of a respected or valued event or name or function, and present it in a cheap and shoddy term of expression.  Certainly they would not use their own leaders or family names in such a demeaning manner, or in the presence of the great.

The circumstance of their delivery attracts attention too. The arrogant power of the profaner, though temporary, makes protest against it a dangerous thing.  It's another way to see a terrorist’s control through threat and fear of reprisal.

So, we are reminded to keep our language pure and undefiled. Not only now of course, but to the end, when we may all have to eat our words.

– Les Nixon

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