used to express surprise, annoyance, disgust, etc.
: also cripe
Word origin
euphemism for Christ
cripes in American English
(kraips)
interjection
(used as a mild oath or an exclamation of astonishment.)
Word origin
[1905–10; appar. euphemistic alter. of christ]This word is first recorded in the period 1905–10. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Expressionism, jazz, scrounge, thiamine, white list
Examples of 'cripes' in a sentence
cripes
Perhaps cripes, crikey and (my own favourite) crivvens could make a comeback.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
So people are wondering if this person used the words 'cripes' or 'balderdash' much.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
And, cripes, was it glamorous.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Plus - oh cripes - the foreign secretary.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
Cripes: can't we go to mediation?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This is no time for a jolly jape, a ruffle of the hair and a 'cripes'.