The word "crikey" in Australia is an exclamation used to express surprise, amazement, or excitement. It is often used in situations where someone sees something astonishing or wants to convey strong emotions, similar to saying "oh my goodness," "wow," or "golly gosh." The term is a euphemistic minced oath originally derived as a substitute for "Christ!" and has been popularized in Australian culture notably by the late Steve Irwin, the famous crocodile hunter. Australians use it to indicate astonishment, disbelief, or even mild dismay, and it continues to be recognized as a quintessentially Australian expression, though its everyday use may be less common now and sometimes used ironically by younger people.
