“Hot Diggity Dog” is a retro way to express extra excitement or anticipation for something or towards someone’s action.
Due to the archaicness of the phrase, you may be looking for an alternative phrase to use without sacrificing the actual expression and idea of glee that it conveys. So what are the best alternatives?
“Wow!” and “Oh my goodness!” are great phrases that are similar to “Hot Diggity Dog.” These phrases can be used in different situations and they are also easily understood by English speakers.
There are still a few more ideal alternative phrases you can use instead of “Hot Diggity Dog” but many of them lean towards expressions of surprise rather than excitement and vice versa.
Last week, while reading theatre reviews in newspapers, I came across quite a few fresh novels and expressions that would sound intriguing to foreign English learners. “Hot Diggity Dog” was one of them.
In this article, I will walk you through 20 of the best alternative phrases you can use to replace this retro term and how it is applied in sentences.
Before diving into that, let’s run through what the term “Hot Diggity Dog” actually means.
“Hot diggity dog” meaning
“Hot diggity dog” is an expression of excitement or enthusiasm.
The origin of the phrase “hot diggity dog” traces back to the 1900s, when Al Jolson, an artiste, was recorded saying “Hot diggity dog! Hot kitty! Hot pussycat! Didn’t I tell you you’d love it?”
He said this after a performance of the tune “There’s a Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder,” which suggested that the expression was to convey excitement and enthusiasm.
So the term became popular as an expression to communicate surprise or delight in a positive situation.
For example, if someone wins a game, they might say “Hot diggity dog, I can’t believe it!”
The light-hearted exclamation can also be used to express excitement about food, such as “Hot diggity dog, this burger is amazing!”
While it is a fun and informal expression, it may not suffice for every communication situation. That’s why you’d need an alternative.
List of 20 phrases like “hot diggity dog”
The best alternative phrase to “hot diggity dog” has to similarly convey a positive reaction to something exciting or impressive.
I have gathered a list of exclamations, phrases, and words suitable for different situations and that are usable in casual or more formal settings.
But you’ll still need to consider the context and your style when choosing which phrase to use. Here they are:
1. Gee whiz!
When you see something impressive, hear surprising news, or experience a sudden realization, you can say the phrase “Gee Whiz!” Instead of “Hot Diggity Dog”
The alternative phrase is an exclamation of surprise, astonishment, or excitement.
It is best used as a substitute when the context is around amazement or admiration.
For example:
- Hot Diggity Dog! He scored the goal from the midfield!
- Gee Whiz! He scored the goal from the midfield!
2. Oh my gosh!
Another excellent similar phrase you can use instead of “Hot Diggity Dog” is “Oh my gosh!”
The latter is a solid fit particularly when you intend to react to surprise or amazement while expressing shock or disbelief.
It is a less intense alternative to “Oh my God!” and is commonly used in polite conversation or in situations where using religious references may be inappropriate.
For example:
- The stocks are plummeting, hot diggity dog!
- The stocks are plummeting, oh my gosh!
3. That’s amazing!
If you’re looking for a rather simple alternative phrase to “hot diggity dog,” then “that’s amazing” would be the perfect fit.
As the phrase implies, it is best used when you genuinely react to something you find amazing.
For example:
- Did you draw all these within an hour? Hot diggity dog!
- Did you draw all these within an hour? That’s amazing!
4. No way!
“No way!” is an exclamation of disbelief or rejection. It is best used as a replacement for “hot diggity dog” when you intend to express disagreement or skepticism.
For example:
- Did you sleep outside throughout the night? Hot Diggity Dog!
- Did you sleep outside throughout the night? No way!
You can even use this phrase to playfully or sarcastically express surprise or mock disbelief.
5. Incredible!
I like this alternative because it’s useful for various situations, such as when someone achieves an extraordinary feat, produces an outstanding work, or tells me an unbelievable story.
For example:
- Hot Diggity Dog! You must have superpowers.
- Incredible! You must have superpowers.
6. Unbelievable!
Unbelievable is a common term. But it is best used as a replacement for the original phrase when you want to express surprise or shock.
It can also be used playfully or sarcastically, like when someone tells a ridiculous story, and you can’t believe what you’re hearing.
For example:
- Did you catch a 500-pound fish? Hot Diggity Dog!
- Did you catch a 500-pound fish? Unbelievable!
7. Gee willikers!
“Gee willikers!” shares a similar meaning to the phrase “hot diggity dog”, It will best suit when you’re feeling playful and want to react to something unexpected or amusing.
For example:
- Did you win the lottery? Hot Diggity Dog!
- Did you win the lottery? Gee willikers, you lucky duck!
8. Oh boy!
You might use it when you’re about to start a new adventure, like going on a road trip.
It can also be used sarcastically when someone is in trouble, like when your friend tells you they accidentally locked their keys in the car.
For example:
- Hot diggity dog, you’re in trouble now!
- Oh boy, you’re in trouble now!
9. Hallelujah!
“Hallelujah!” is an exclamation of praise or joy.
While it’s used in a religious context to express gratitude or celebration, you can also use it in a more secular context when someone is thrilled about something, like when you hear that you’ve won a prize.
This is the point where it shares similarity with the phrase “hot diggity dog”
For example:
- Did you win the lottery? Hot diggity dog, that’s amazing news!
- Did you win the lottery? Hallelujah, that’s amazing news!
10. Holy cow!
When something happens and it makes you in shock, perhaps, something unexpected, then feel free to use the term “Holy cow!” Instead of “hot diggity dog.”
I’ve heard people use it playfully or sarcastically, like when someone tells a ridiculous story, and you can’t believe what you’re hearing.
For example:
- Did you make it to the hill top? Hot diggity dog!
- Did you climb Mount Everest? Holy cow, that’s unbelievable!
11. Marvelous!
The original phrase is often used to convey delight. If that’s the situation, the term marvelous is a wonderful substitute.
You can use it when something is impressive or delightful such as when your friend tells you they got a promotion at work or when you taste a delicious dish.
For example:
- Your singing was hot Diggity Dog.
- Your singing was marvelous! I couldn’t stop tapping my feet to the rhythm.
12. Sweet!
The term Sweet has a spirit of enthusiasm attached to it. So this alternative is best used when you intend to convey such expression.
It’s also more commonly used by people of all ages and doesn’t have the same old-fashioned feel that “hot diggity dog” might have.
Plus, “sweet” can be used to express excitement in a wide range of situations, from hearing good news to seeing something cool.
So, next time you’re excited, try this word out instead.
For example:
- Hot Diggity Dog, you aced that test, congrats!
- Sweet! You aced that test, congrats!
13. Rad!
“Rad” is short for “radical,” which means excellent, so it’s perfect for expressing excitement or approval.
You can use this exclamation as a replacement for “hot diggity dog” because it has a similarly playful and retro vibe.
It’s a word that was popular in the ’80s and ’90s, but it’s still used today, especially by younger people.
For example:
- Did you get tickets to the concert? Hot diggity dog!
- Did you get tickets to the concert? Rad! That’s going to be an awesome show!
14. Fantastic!
As a classic word, it has been utilized for decades to express approval and joy, making it a safe choice that is widely understood.
Moreover, “Fantastic” is versatile and you can use it in a broad range of situations to express your positivity and excitement such as one over your friend’s promotion.
For example:
- Did you get the promotion? Hot diggity dog!
- Did you get the promotion? Fantastic! Congratulations!
15. Terrific!
Just as the way “hot diggity dog” conveys enthusiasm and excitement, the word terrific also does that, but it is in addition widely recognized word that has been in use for decades.
16. Oh my!
You know that moment when your cat does a backflip?
Yes, you can exclaim “Oh my!” Instead of “hot diggity dog”
It’s like saying “Wowza!” or “Holy moly!” but with a touch of old-fashioned charm. Your grandma would be proud!
17. Splendid!
You might use it when your crush agrees to go on a date with you, or when your boss gives you a raise.
It’s like saying “Fantastic!” or “Brilliant!” but with a posh British flair. While it’s a good replacement for a “hot diggity dog” in some situations, I wouldn’t recommend using it when ordering a hot dog. Winks*
18. Cool!
Picture when your friend shows you their new tattoo or when you’re told you take the test of the day off. You can simply reply with”cool.”
While it’s a fantastic replacement for the old-fashioned”hot diggity dog” it can be put in better expressions like “Awesome!” or “Sweet!” but without the sugar rush.
19. Awesome!
You might use it as a replacement for hot diggity dog when your favorite band announces a new album, or when your team wins the championship game. It’s like saying “Incredible!” or “Unbelievable!” but with a modern twist.
Just don’t use it when you’re serving cold hot dogs, that’s not awesome at all.
20. Excellent!
Finally, I recommend the term “excellent” as the perfect replacement for the phrase “hot diggity dog” especially when words fail you.
The word is so neutral that it works for every situation and context.
The Key Takeaway
The bottom line is that “hot diggity dog” may be a fun and light-hearted exclamation to express surprise, enthusiasm, or excitement, but it can become weird when you use it in some context today.
I recommend you use phrases like “My goodness!”
“Hot Diggity Dog” is not at all popular in day-to-day usage because it’s an antiquated saying.
However, I still enjoy hearing it in these old black-and-white movies and from excited elderly people at the park.
But in a casual conversation with young or middle-aged persons, it’s better to use these alternative phrases.
I made sure that the options I included in this article are usable for expressing excitement, enthusiasm, or surprise in a variety of situations.
So, your job is only to choose the one that best fits the context and your style.