Maria
What is the difference between " oh my god" and " oh my gosh"
Jun 15, 2015 6:07 PM
Answers · 6
2
"Oh, my God" is slightly rude. It used to be considered very rude. In English, there are three kinds of bad language: vulgarity (bathroom words), obscenity (sexual words), and profanity. Profanity means the casual use of religious words--God, damn, hell, Jesus, etc. "Oh, my God" is an example. "Gosh" is a euphemism, a substitute word. There are a lot of them. Many of them resemble a quick correction. You have started to say "God," it is too late to stop yourself, so you change it to "gosh." You have started to say the f-bomb, it is too late to stop yourself, so you change it to "fudge." "Hell" becomes "heck," "damn" becomes "darn." Nowadays, there are very few taboo words, and using these substitute words is starting to sound old-fashioned or babyish. My grandson keeps saying "Oh, my God." It just doesn't sound right for a little kid to be saying it. Whenever he says it, I stop him and correct him: "Oh, my gosh."
June 16, 2015
2
There is no difference in meaning, though "oh my gosh" is a softer, less offensive version of "oh my god." They are both expressions of surprise, disgust, excitement, etc.
June 15, 2015
2
People who don't want to use god's name prefer to say "oh my gosh" but the meaning is exactly the same.
June 15, 2015
1
They are exactly the same. As Ruthi said, some people are reluctant to say My God, so they say my gosh.
June 15, 2015
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