Jesus Christ
August 18th, 2008Jesus Christ
Confusion
I’m a pretty smart person.
I know, I know. Arrogant maybe, but smart nonetheless.
For this reason, on the very rare occasion when I’m at a loss for an answer to any question, I get a bit obsessed with learning what that answer is.
Sometimes, those questions come out of nowhere – such as last night when one of my daughters, who was reading a book at the time, asked:
“What does the “H” stand for in Jesus H. Christ?”
Well, that is a good question. I mean, it’s an expression that most of us have heard at one time or another, probably since childhood when we first heard Uncle Leonard or Grandpa Smith exclaim it every so often. Yet, most people have no idea what the “H” stands for, even if they repeat it every day.
Not wanting to look like I didn’t know the answer, I suggested:
“Harold”.
That didn’t work so well though…
“Dad, Jesus Harold Christ? I don’t think so.”
But, I was quickly saved by my other daughter who interjected:
“I always thought it was Jesus Aged Christ.”
…to which we all laughed, because when taken out of the context of an older person saying it, just sounds ridiculous.
That comment confused me further though. Is it really “Jesus H. Christ” or “Jesus Aged Christ”?
Or, as Jake (John Belushi) Blues might say, “Jesus H. Tapdancing Christ”?
And what the hell do any of them actually mean?
Yeah, I know about the Greek monogram for Jesus - IHS or IHC - but that’s not enough explanation for my mind.
I’m pretty sure all of them are blasphemous, but that doesn’t mean the question should remain unanswered.
Tags: jesus christ
