Ježíš Maria

Czechs are the most secular secular nation in Europe. The communists must have really beat religion out of them but Czechs have quite a few religious expressions that are used daily.

Not a day goes by that you don't hear Ježíš Maria! (or Ježíš Marja). Often used as an expression of surprise. The equivalent English translation would be "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!"

If you surprise, excite or anger a Czech you can also hear Pane Bože!..."Lord God!" Or even pro Kristovy rány!. This one translates to "for Christ's wounds!"

Ježíškovy oči means "Jesus' eyes". But most of the time, people say Ježkovy oči which means "hedgehog's eyes."

When someone at work taught me "hedgehog's eyes" I thought they were crazy. As if I would ever need this for "survival Czech". But you actually hear it all of the time.