Jiminy

Jiminy is a given name and nickname in English, often a diminutive form of James. It is also used as an exclamation, as in the mild oath or expression of surprise "Jiminy!" or the longer "Jiminy Cricket!" which historically appeared in American English from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The exact origin of the exclamation is unclear, but it is generally treated as a minced oath.

The best-known use of the term is Jiminy Cricket, the talking cricket who acts as Pinocchio's conscience in Disney's 1940 animated film The Adventures of Pinocchio, based on Carlo Collodi's 1883 novel. In the film, Jiminy serves as Pinocchio's moral guide and narrator, offering advice as the boy navigates temptation and danger. He is voiced by Cliff Edwards and sung the film's signature song "When You Wish Upon a Star." The character has become an enduring symbol of conscience and moral guidance in popular culture.

In other media, "Jiminy" occasionally appears as a character name or nickname, and the term itself has diminished in everyday use, often associated with older works or nostalgic contexts. The phrase remains widely recognized due to the Disney character, which helped popularize the name outside its original linguistic context.