Someone asked why I say “gandhi” instead of “oh my god” or simply “god.” Let me count the ways:

1. First, I’m not overly interested in taking the Lord’s name in vain or blaspheming. Generally, I try to avoid it.
2. “Gosh” or “golly jee” or “jeepers creepers” are just euphemisms, saying ‘well’ what you’d really like to say.
3. I have a (seminary!) professor who says “oh my god” and “god” flippantly. Can’t stand it; appalled, to say the least.
4. Gandhi is multisyllabic. You can stretch it out in true moments of angst. Gannnn-dhi!
5. Gandhi is no one’s deity; just a surname. It’s therefore less likely that someone will be offended by taking Gandhi’s name in vain.
6. Overall annoyance at hearing “oh my god” used so flippantly. “Oh my Gandhi” is a cause for pause. It scores minor uniqueness points.
7. Finally, humans (homo loquens) need a word or phrase which can be used to express frustration or angst. All languages have such words. My idiolect employs “Gandhi.”