- An exclamation expressing surprise, astonishment, or alarm.
- Chiefly associated with Australian and New Zealand English.
Explanation
Origin
- Believed to be a euphemism for Christ.
- Emerged in the 19th century.
- Popularized internationally by figures like Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter).
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Milder:
- Wow / Whoa
- Gosh
- Jeez
Informal/Regional:
- Blimey (UK)
- Strewth (Aus, dated)
- Fair dinkum? (Aus expressing disbelief/surprise, used differently)
Stronger/Vulgar (Expressing similar surprise/shock):
- Bloody hell! (Aus/NZ/UK)
- Fuck me!
- Holy shit! / Holy crap!
- Jesus Christ!
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal. Strongly associated with Australian and NZ vernacular.
- Sounds stereotypical or perhaps affectionate/humorous if used by non-Australians/Kiwis.
- Mild and generally inoffensive, but its informality makes it less suitable for formal settings.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Straightforward meaning (surprise), but highly regional. Use outside Aus/NZ might sound affected.
Examples
- Surprise/Astonishment: Crikey! That's a big spider!
- Alarm: Crikey! Watch out for that snake!
- Mild Shock: Crikey, mate, you didn't tell me you were coming!
Dialogue
Bruce: Just pulled this fish out of the river!
Sheila: Crikey! Look at the size of that thing!
Bruce: Yeah, beauty, isn't she? Biggest one I've caught all year.
Sheila: Crikey, you'll be eating well tonight!
Social Media Examples
- Tweet (likely Aus/NZ user): Crikey, it's hot today! ☀️ Time for the beach. #aussiesummer
- Comment on a photo of a large insect: Crikey! Wouldn't want to find that in my shoe!
- Instagram caption (Aus travel): Saw my first wild kangaroo today! Crikey, they're big! #australia
Response Patterns
- Similar to Blimey!, it doesn't require a direct response. Listeners understand it as an expression of surprise/alarm.
- Listeners might share the emotion (Yeah, wow!) or react to the cause (Where? Get away from it!).
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Speaker often follows up by pointing out or reacting further to the cause of surprise/alarm (...It's enormous!, ...Move back slowly.).
- Listener might ask What is it? or What's wrong?.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's a reaction.
Intonation
- Exclamatory, stress usually on the first syllable (CRIkey).
- Often has a sharp falling or rising-falling intonation. CRIkey!
Generation Differences
- While stereotypically associated with older generations or rural/outback Australians, it's still understood and used across various ages, partly thanks to media popularization (like Steve Irwin). Younger generations might use it less frequently than more global exclamations (Wow, OMG) or Bloody hell.
Regional Variations
- Chiefly Australian and New Zealand English. Understood but rarely used elsewhere.