or geminy! jiminy! intj. (common).—An exclamation of surprise; a mild oath. [Generally referred to the Lat.: Gemini = the Twins (i.e., Castor and Pollux, the objects of an old Roman oath); but PALMER (Folk-Etymology), traces the interjection to the German, O Gemine!; Dutch, Jemy Jemini!; both abbreviated from the Latin, O Jesu Domine!; or merely from Jesu meus!; Italian, Giesu mio! It seems to have come in at the Restoration.] Also O JIMMINY!; O JIMMINY FIGS! O JIMMINY GIG! etc.: for the phrase has pleased the cockney mind, and been vulgarised accordingly.
1672. DRYDEN, The Assignation, Act ii., Sc. 3. Ben. O GEMINI! is it you, sir?
1704. STEELE, The Lying Lover, Act iv., Sc. 3. Sim. I stay with you? Oh GEMINI! Indeed, I can’t.
1731. FIELDING, The Lottery, Sc. 2. Lord Lace! Oh GEMINI! who’s that?
1780. HANNAH COWLEY, The Belle’s Stratagem, iv., 2. O, GEMINI! beg the petticoat’s pardon.
1796. M. G. LEWIS, The Castle Spectre, iii., 3. Oh, GEMINI! what would he use with me, lady?
1798. T. MORTON, Secrets Worth Knowing, i., 1. Sally. A parcel of lazy chaps, I dare say—but I’ll make them stir their stumps. Well, here we are at last. Oh GEMINI GIG! how my poor bones do ache!
1836. M. SCOTT, Tom Cringle’s Log, ch. i. ‘GEMINI! what is that now?’ quoth Tip again.
1863. C. READE, Hard Cash, I., 125. ‘O, JIMINY!’ This polite ejaculation was drawn out by the speaker’s sudden recognition of Alfred.
