[Arthur McGowan]

No one in my family (Irish Catholic) ever said “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph” as an exclamation. It was, in fact, one of the specific prayers classed as “aspirations.” “My Jesus, Mercy,” “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” “O, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee,” etc.

I never heard the f-bomb until I was 14, when I first went to government school.

[workerbee]

No offense intened; I wasn't trying to imply that all Catholics used the phrase. Just relaying my own experience. Hearing "J, M & J" wasn't so unusual and as I said, was never said in an "irreverant" manner, if that makes sense. Hearing g-d ... on that rare occasion, you knew someone was gonna get it. No way did I ever hear an f-bomb or equivalent.