But minced oaths have historically performed a very specific role: providing a weakened but socially acceptable form of an actual religious oath, swear or curse.

The findings, published on December 6 in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, support the idea that speakers may euphemize swear words, or “mince oaths”—think using “darn” for “damn”—by ...

Gosh, gee, golly, dagnamit, darn, drat, gadzooks, zounds, heck, and cripes are all minced oaths that are still around to charm us with their innocent old-timey ring.

If you're wondering what the heck minced oaths are, then just read this gallery, for crying out loud! advertisement. StarsInsider. What the heck are minced oaths, and what do they mean?

Some of the words on our list are minced oaths — euphemistic versions of profane or blasphemous terms. Khosrork / Getty Images. 4. Scaramouche > When this word was first in use: 17th century.

A minced oath is a euphemism for words a speaker wants to avoid saying. The use of "darn" for "damn" or "gosh" for "God," are examples of minced oaths.

Incidentally, a minced oath is a euphemistic expression formed by replacing a term that could be deemed profane, blasphemous or taboo. For example, the common swapping of “God” with “gosh”.

CHEESE AND RICE (56A: "Oh my gosh!") CHEESE AND RICE – when used as an exclamation, and not the name of a possibly delicious casserole – is an example of a minced oath. A minced oath is a ...

Gosh, gee, golly, dagnamit, darn, drat, gadzooks, zounds, heck, and cripes are all minced oaths that are still around to charm us with their innocent old-timey ring.