yikes

Humble   Fri May 16, 2008 4:16 am GMT
Hi,
I wonder how common this expression of surprise, fear, or alarm is and who it’s mostly used by – men, women, children, young, elderly etc. Please give some examples if you can.

Thanks.
Guest   Fri May 16, 2008 1:18 pm GMT
Scooby: "Watch thet villain!"
Shaggy: "Yikes!"
Guest   Fri May 16, 2008 9:24 pm GMT
Not many people use that expression anymore (at least in the United States).
Skippy   Fri May 16, 2008 11:41 pm GMT
I thought Shaggy said "zoiks!" or something to that effect.

This expression has found its way into common usage with college students... Although not nearly as common as "like" (what is, though?) and slightly less common than "wow."

"Do you like my new bright yellow sweater?" "Yikes..."

It's used relatively frequently in the US (at least in Southern California where I did my undergrad, I can't speak for Louisiana, but I'm sure they say it around here too).
Humble   Sun May 18, 2008 4:14 am GMT
Not used in Britain?
Guest   Sun May 18, 2008 6:14 am GMT
Shaggy says "zoinks".
Guest   Sun May 18, 2008 10:07 am GMT
well, somebody says "yikes" on that show; Velma or Fred?
Skippy   Sun May 18, 2008 3:52 pm GMT
So do college age Americans.
Humble   Tue May 20, 2008 3:33 am GMT
Thanks, folks.
Only college age Americans, then.
guest   Tue May 20, 2008 8:20 pm GMT
Velma says "Jinkies"

Dalphnie may say Yikes
I do
Lazar   Tue May 20, 2008 8:36 pm GMT
I'm not sure that you can generalize that to all college-age Americans though. I don't think I've ever heard it from any of my peers.
Guest   Wed May 21, 2008 2:52 am GMT
Nowadays people say 'oh my god'.
Guest   Wed May 21, 2008 2:54 am GMT
Or just 'shit'.

Yikes, that sounds pretty hard = Shit, that sounds pretty hard

That's ugly. Yikes! = That's ugly. Shit!

No young person will be offended. If they are then they're the kind of person you shouldn't be talking to.
Humble   Wed May 21, 2008 6:12 am GMT
Is "yikes" of the same register as "shit"?
Yes, "shit" is widespread, and those who utter it can't help being stained by it.
Guest   Wed May 21, 2008 7:18 am GMT
No, there is nothing vulgar about "yikes".