by golly
Old-fashioned mild oath
By golly is a mild exclamation expressing surprise, emphasis, or determination: By golly, I think she's right!
It's a euphemism—golly substitutes for God, avoiding the profanity of swearing by the deity.
The phrase sounds old-fashioned or folksy, often used for gentle emphasis rather than genuine shock: We're going to finish this project by golly.
Tame exclamation of surprise
- geeMild exclamation of surprise
- goodnessMoral excellence
- graciousPleasantly kind and courteous
- heavensCelestial expanse overhead
my word · gee whiz · holy moly · oh my · wow · dear me · mercy · land sakes
Dated mild oath
- zoundsDated oath of astonishment
- fiddlesticksArchaic interjection of annoyance
- pshawInterjection expressing contempt
- tarnationMild rural curse
gadzooks · forsooth · marry · prithee · upon my word · bless my soul · by thunder
Word affirming emphasis
- certainlyWithout any doubt
- absolutelyCompletely, without exception
- trulyIn a genuine manner
- reallyIn actual fact
definitely · surely · positively · without a doubt · for sure · you bet · I swear · honest to goodness
gosh
Tame exclamation of surprise
heavens · my word · gee whiz · holy moly · oh my · wow · dear me · mercy · land sakes · my stars
egad
Dated mild oath
- zoundsDated oath of astonishment
- fiddlesticksArchaic interjection of annoyance
- pshawInterjection expressing contempt
tarnation · gadzooks · forsooth · marry · prithee · upon my word · bless my soul · by thunder
indeed
Word affirming emphasis
- certainlyWithout any doubt
- absolutelyCompletely, without exception
- trulyIn a genuine manner
really · definitely · surely · positively · without a doubt · for sure · you bet · I swear · honest to goodness · I mean it
by gollygoddamn
Profane intensifier expressing frustration
by God · goddammit · Jesus Christ · for God's sake · holy shit
by gollymotherfucker
Obscene insult or intensifier
what the fuck · holy shit · fuck me · goddammit · bullshit