Oh My Gawd!

O MY GOD!

Why is this everyone's first response to EVERYTHING that happens?
And I do mean EVERYTHING from the most trivial triviality to the most earth shattering events?

When did it start? Why do we do it?

Do people say this in other languages? Do they say the same thing or something equivalent?

Nicer people will say "Oh my gosh" in order to not use the Lords name in vain, but it's still the first thing that pops out of their mouth.

Watch those Home & Garden shows where they reveal the new room and the first thing out of everyones mouth is "Oh my God", meaning either... 'WOW how beautiful' ... OR ... 'WOW how hideous'.

Some shows really over do it too, such as on the old sitcom "The Nanny"
(I wish I had a dollar for every time it was said on there!).

What do atheists say at THEIR point of gasping surprise?

Lately, alot of "Oh My Gawds" have been replaced with "WTF?"

So, omgosh, what does all this mean???

......................UPDATE.........................

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods.
"What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!" he said to himself.

As he continued walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes.
Turning to look, he saw a 7 foot grizzly charging towards him.

He ran as fast as he could up the path.
Looking over his shoulder he saw that the bear was closing in on him.
His heart was pumping frantically and he tried to run even faster.

He tripped and fell on the ground.
He rolled over to pick himself up but saw the bear raising his paw to take a swipe at him.

At that instant the atheist cried out: "Oh my God..."

Time stopped.

The bear froze.

The forest was silent.

It was then that a bright light shone upon the man and a voice came out of the sky saying:
"You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't exist, and even credit creation to a cosmic accident.
Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"

The atheist looked directly into the light, "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps, could you make the BEAR a Christian?"

"Very well," said the voice. The light went out. And the sounds of the forest resumed.

And then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head and spoke:

"Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive and for which I am truly thankful. Amen."