Ever heard the expression "crimenately"?

[bif]

My Grandparents used to use it. Also "Crimeny-pelts". Where did these come from and what do they mean?

[Bridget Burke]

1. I heard it as "Crimenently"....

Your post inspired me to search. Apparently, these words are variations on "Christ"--used by those who really don't want to take anybody's name in vain.

www.word-detective.com/012199.html

(In the middle of the page. But the other stuff is pretty interesting, too.)

[bif]

2. Cool!

That must have been their own variation on a theme. I figured it would have been based on "Christ."

[seemunkee]

3. My mother used it

sounded more like crime-in-italy when she said it with her midwest twang

[Bunny]

4. Same here, as far as the pronunciation.

Crime-in-Itly!

[bridgit]

5. 'criminy', yes; "crimenately", no...

Main Entry: criminy
Part of Speech: interjection
Definition: an exclamation of surprise, a mild oath; also written crimine, cf. crikey
Etymology: Italian crimine 'crime'; euphemism for 'Christ'

[Shakespeare]

6. The sheriff in Disney's Robin Hood says it.

Voiced by the great character actor Pat Buttram.

[pscot]

7. Pat Buttram

Didn't he used to be Gene Autry's sidelick?