In Canada we not only say "eh," "bloody," and "bugger," but we are also in the habit of saying "Jesus Murphy." Growing up it was just a phrase one got used to. No one felt that it was taking the Lord's name in vain. It was accepted entirely in every day speech.
When I moved to the States many years ago, I was often chided regarding my "accent." "What accent? What is it "aboot' my speech that you find so amusing?"
Actually most people thought it was rather charming when I would speak of my "hoose," or that I had to go "oot" and "bourrow" a cup of sugar rather than "barrow" it. Or that I was "sorry" and not "sarry." I remember shortly after I arrived that someone said I was "bitchin" (ya, it was a long time ago), and I felt quite insulted. I then learned that that word meant I looked good. I forgave him that one.
My first husband once asked me who this Jesus Murphy guy was. Up until that point I hadn't thought anything unusual about the name, and said that it was something everybody said in Canada. Watching a movie that took place in Ireland one day, I heard one of the characters say, "Jesus Murphy!" I thought I had my answer to the question of Murphys' inception. It was slang for Jesus Christ, originated in Ireland and brought to Canada. End of story, or so I thought.
Fast forward many years, to my life now. About a month after I met Daniel, my present husband, he asked, "So who is this Jesus Murphy guy?" Obviously I use this expression a lot, and I told him the same story as previously explained. That was not good enough for him. "Have you ever Googled it?" he asked. I had not, since we didn't have computers back then, but I got right on it.
I came across a site which gave me the story about Jesus Murphy. I cannot account for its authenticity but here it is. It seems that during the time of prohibition there was a man who traveled across Canada carrying bootleg Irish whiskey in a horse drawn cart. He presented himself to lawmakers as Jesus Murphy, peddling bibles door to door. Little did they know that Murphy whiskey was hidden under the bibles.
Like I said, I don't know if this is true or not. I can't seem to find the story anymore, making me wish I had printed it. But I'd like to think that it's true because to me it is quite charming.
Daniel recently asked me, "How do you know when to say Jesus Murphy or Jesus Christ?" Nosy, isn't he? And persistent too. "Well you just know." I said. And then I gave him some examples.
"Jesus Murphy, am I the only one who knows how to sweep the floor around here?'
"Jesus Murphy, why are you always asking me "aboot" Jesus Murphy?"
"Jesus Christ, you really need to get a life!"
I'm sure this makes complete sense to all my Canadian friends out there. I'm just happy that we provide such cheap entertainment for the rest of you. Now please bugger off!
P.S. Daniel recently learned that snowboarders are "knuckle draggers," which brought a smile to his face--until he learned that skiers like himself are "two planker wankers."
Christine Geery 2011
