Jesus H. Christ

Extension of Jesus Christ with a fantastical middle initial, perhaps derived from a reading of ΙΗΣ (IĒS) (sometimes ΙΗϹ (IĒϹ), using a lunate sigma), a Greek-alphabet abbreviation for Jesus (ΙΗΣΟΥΣ) as three initials in Latin letters. See "Christogram" at Wikipedia.

The expression dates to at least the late 19th century, although according to Mark Twain it was already old in 1850. (Smith 1994, p. 332)

Jesus H. Christ

1. (chiefly a stronger form) Jesus Christ.
   • 1980 June, Dan Aykroyd and John Landis, The Blues Brothers, Universal Pictures

     Jake: Yes! Yes! Jesus H. tap-dancing Christ, I have seen the light!

   • 1985, Andrew Bergman, Fletch, Universal Pictures

     Stanton Boyd: Jesus H. Christ on a popsicle stick. First of all... Alan Stanwyk does not own one single share of stock.

   • 2004, James McManus, Positively Fifth Street‎:

     “I’m gonna get outta their way,” he mutters, then snorts without mirth. “All I had were jacks.” We believe him, of course. What are jacks, after all, once Beelzebub and Jesus H. Christ get involved?

   • 2004, Marsha Moyer, The Last of the Honky-tonk Angels‎:

     “Jesus H. Christ on the cross,” he said. He caught my reflected gaze and held it. “How long have you known about this?”

• For quotations of use of this term, see Citations:Jesus H. Christ.

• Jesus Harold Christ

• Jesus H. Christ on a raft

• Cassidy, Frederick G., 1995. "More on Jesus H. Christ," American Speech 70:370.
• Smith, Roger, 1994. "The H of Jesus H. Christ," American Speech 69:331-335.
• Why do folks say "Jesus H. Christ"?, from The Straight Dope
• Explanation from WorldWideWords by Michael Quinion
• Harold be thy name!