Anonymous
Post 02/19/2024 07:29     Subject: Phew, Whew or Shew
I had never heard of "shew" until I met my mother in law who grew up in Baltimore. She uses "shew" instead of Geez or as a basic response to anyone explaining a difficult day or task.
It drives me....nuts!
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2024 06:30     Subject: Re:Phew, Whew or Shew
Anonymous wrote:I use "shoo". I've never seen it spelled "shew".


+1, it's "shoo".

Friend 1: "you going tonight?"
Friend 2: "shoo, I don't know."
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2024 02:55     Subject: Phew, Whew or Shew
Yes, in the Midwest and South, as a statement of exasperation, especially while wiping one's brow: "Shew!" or "Woo-whee!" were heard commonly.
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2023 20:05     Subject: Phew, Whew or Shew
I mostly use shew, though I’ve struggled with how to spell it (I’ve always used ‘shoo’). I’m from Richmond.

Shew/shoo is different from pshaw.
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2023 19:59     Subject: Phew, Whew or Shew
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm from the midatlantic and I use Phew and whew but differently.

Whew is for accomplishing something, getting it done, or dodging a bullet - Whew, that's a relief, Whew, that was hard work.

Phew is more for starting something tough - Phew this is going to be hard work. Keep going.

THat sounds ridiculous I know.


I don’t think it’s ridiculous. I’m midatlantic too, and to me phew = “that was a close call” and whew = “that was hard work.”


+1, from Michigan. Phew definitely conveys relief from something scary/unfortunate.


+2, also a Michigander.
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2023 19:59     Subject: Phew, Whew or Shew
I'm a European transplant (learned British English), and "phew" is the only word I know of the three you mention. I use it as an expression of relief.
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2023 19:49     Subject: Re:Phew, Whew or Shew
I've lived my entire life in SoCal, and I've heard sheew or shwhew for at least 60-odd years, so yeah, it IS a thing. Can't think where now, but have even seen it used in a novel or 2 or 3...
Anonymous
Post 06/21/2023 17:28     Subject: Phew, Whew or Shew
Anonymous wrote:From east NC near Camp Lejeune. Many folks local use “shew” for both whew and phew. Many.


Also from NC, western side, and it's definitely a thing there too.
Anonymous
Post 06/21/2023 17:12     Subject: Phew, Whew or Shew
Whew - from NY

Agree that Phew is a bad odor

Shew? Not a word