Cool MateBy George vs Wow
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
By George
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Wow
InformalTop 1,000 (very common)A2exclamation
Most common: Wow
| By George | Wow | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //baɪ ˈdʒɔːdʒ//🇺🇸 //baɪ ˈdʒɔrdʒ// | 🇬🇧 /["/waʊ/","/ˌwaʊˈiː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/waʊ/","/ˌwaʊˈiː/"]/ |
| Meaning | An expression showing surprise or excitement. | A word used to express surprise or excitement. |
| Example | By George, I think I've found the solution! | Wow! You look terrific! |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | exclamation | |
| Collocations | by George, I find, by George, that’s amazing, by George, what a surprise | say wow, wow factor, wow moment |
| Antonyms | - | meh, bored, disappointing, unimpressed |
| Common mistakes | 'By George' is sometimes confused with 'Oh my God!', Learners may use it in overly formal situations where more modern phrases are preferable. | Using 'wow' in formal writing., Saying 'wow' too often can lose its impact., Confusing 'wow' with other expressions of surprise. |
| Usage notes | Used mainly in casual conversation to express amazement or enthusiasm. It may sound old-fashioned and not suitable for formal contexts. | Use 'wow' in casual conversations to show amazement or admiration. It may not be suitable for formal settings. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: By George vs Wow
What's the difference between By George and Wow?
By George: An expression showing surprise or excitement. Wow: A word used to express surprise or excitement.
Which is more common: By George and Wow?
Wow is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
By George: By George, I think I've found the solution! Wow: Wow! You look terrific!
Can I use By George and Wow interchangeably?
Not always. By George and Wow are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.