Possible Clues:

• Prudish oath
• Local surprise at tins no longer in kitchens
• Relative of 'Darn!'
• Non-bleeped expletive
• "Shoot!"
• 'Aw gee!'
• "Phooey!"
• "What the __!?"
• Euphemism for 'hell'
• Emphatic lead-in to "yes"