<p>OK, I haven’t heard this expression since my mother died several years ago, but she used to say it as an exclamation, and I’d completely forgotten about it…until I watched “Gone with the Wind” yesterday. Mammy was the one who said it. We’re not African Americans or Southerners, but my mother spent a ton of time around her grandmother who was a Southerner. Have any of you ever heard this expression and if you have, what is its origin? My sister and I figured out “G’d up” which came from “giddy up” but G-hosefat" has us stumped!</p>
<p>Jehosephat is one spelling I’ve seen before.</p>
<p>Probably comes from Jehova.</p>
<p>I’ve always heard “Jumpin’ Jehosephat”–not that that it clarifies things a bit!</p>
<p>I found a reference to it on Wikipedia and it looks like he was from the House of David, and in “popular reference” its used as if to say, “Jesus!” or Jehovah…right, happymomof1!</p>
<p>.Jehosaphat was a wealthy king of Jerusalem. One day an army came from Koopastan to steal Jehosaphat’s princess and his mountain of gold coins. Jehosaphat challenged the most feared fighter in the Koopastanian army to one-on-one combat. Right before battle, Jehosaphat ate powerful mushrooms from his kingdom. Legend has it that during the confrontation, Jeosaphat doubled in size and leaped onto the warrior, crushing him flat. Recent scientific studies show that the Basidocarpus todensae mushroom of the desert has certain chemotactic properties that increase hematocrit levels in the myofibrils of muscles, verifying the possible “doubling in size”.</p>
<p>The people of Jerusalem created epic songs about “Jumping Jehosaphat”. Don MaClean’s ballad “American Pie” is a modern take on these traditional mandolin pieces. The saying quickly grew in popularity with the advent of the printing press and the translation of the bible, and the influx of Christianity throughout the world. </p>
<p>Read more: What is the meaning of jumping jehosaphat | Answerbag [What</a> is the meaning of jumping jehosaphat | Answerbag](<a href=“What is the meaning of jumping jehosaphat”>What is the meaning of jumping jehosaphat)</p>
<p>I can hear “Jumpin Jehosophat” in a clear Mel Brooks voice. It must have been in a cartoon…trying it on with Sylvester the cat…(highly likely). Maybe Elmer Fudd? No, not clear enough, Yosemite Sam? No, not the right voice. I’m betting on Sylvester. Links to that “you” tube place welcome…</p>
<p>maybe Foghorn Leghorn?</p>
<p>and my dad used to say “criminently!” Have you ever heard that expression?</p>
<p>Dragonmom, I think you mean Mel Blanc, the voices of so many of those great old Warner Brothers characters.</p>
<p>You guys are great! thanks for all of this!</p>