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General

crikey

What does crikey mean?

An expression of surprise or astonishment.

"Crikey, that's a big one!"

Origin

A minced oath, euphemism for 'Christ'; popularised globally by Steve Irwin.

Frequently asked questions

What does 'crikey' mean?
It's an exclamation of surprise or astonishment, similar to 'wow' or 'blimey'.
Where does 'crikey' come from?
It's a minced oath, a euphemism for 'Christ', and was popularised worldwide by wildlife presenter Steve Irwin.
Is 'crikey' offensive?
No. It exists precisely to avoid swearing, so it's a very mild, family-friendly exclamation.
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.