The word "crikey" is an exclamation used to express surprise, amazement, or mild dismay. It is chiefly British and also common in Commonwealth English, including Australia, where it gained extra popularity through Steve Irwin, the late crocodile hunter. The term is a euphemistic substitute for "Christ," used as a mild oath or minced oath to avoid blasphemy. People say "crikey" to react to something astonishing, impressive, or inconvenient, like "Crikey, that was close!" or "Crikey, that hurt!"
