gee whiz

1. interjection An exclamation of any strong emotion, such as surprise, dismay, enthusiasm, exasperation, etc. Aw, gee whiz, Mom! Can't I stay out and play for one more hour? Gee whiz guys, wasn't that show great? Nancy? Gee whiz, I haven't seen you in ages! How are you?

2. adjective Especially enthusiastic or impressed; youthfully or naïvely optimistic or exuberant. Often hyphenated. The film is sure to provoke some gee-whiz reactions from even the most cynical of spectators. A lot of people come into politics with some gee-whiz notions of changing the world. When do you think the new director will be disabused of her gee-whiz notions of how to run a department? By the end of the week?

3. adjective Showily or gaudily impressive; amazing or astounding. Often hyphenated. The film boasts a lot of gee-whiz effects but doesn't offer much else in the way of plot or character development. The planetarium has a real gee-whiz show going on right now. You feel like you're actually in space! Oh, they have a gee-whiz mansion—easily the biggest house I've ever been to.

gee whiz

An expression of surprise, dismay, or enthusiasm. For example, Gee whiz, Dad, I thought you'd let me borrow the car, or Gee whiz, they finally won the Series! This term is thought to be a euphemism for "Jesus Christ." [Slang; 1870s]