goodness gracious me

English

Pronunciation

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Interjection

goodness gracious me

1. (idiomatic, UK) Alternative form of goodness gracious.

Phrase

goodness gracious me

1. (idiomatic, UK) Suggestive of stereotypical portrayals of Indians in British media.
   • 1983 06, Punch:

     […] the fact that though there were quite good restaurants of all nationalities in Beverly Hills, there was (dropping into his goodness-gracious-me voice) no good Indian restaurant ... He was an enthusiast.

   • 1988, Institute of Contemporary Arts (London, England), Black Film, British Cinema:

     The protagonists speak with neutral accents, an important aspect of the characterisation and chosen by the film-makers to pre-empt the 'goodness, gracious, me' Asian stereotype.

   • 2001, New Statesman:

     He was condescending to me, presuming a goodness-gracious-me prejudice on my part. "Why does that matter? Aren't the clothes from Asia the same quality as those made here?" I countered.

Synonyms

• See Thesaurus:wow

See also

• goodness gracious