My guess is Wisconsin! I'm originally from Wisconsin and I've heard it since I was little. Now live in AZ after 40 plus years. I must say it a lot because my kids tease me by saying, "MOM! JEEZE! You sound like Grandma!" ... hmmmmmmmm. (Note the "jeeze" part ... gotta be a midwestern rooted phrase.) JEEZE I MISS THE CHEESE!

I think from the film "Thelma and Louise"; Thelma says definitely says "Geez Louise" to Louise, I think it originates from that film rather than being a phrase beforehand that the scriptwriters used. And if my American geography is right, then the word "geez" would be used in the same sorta area as the film is set. I say "geez louise" but not "geez"

There is a movie from the 80's called Teen Witch about a teenager named Louise who, at the age of 16, gets magical powers which she uses to become popular. Her best friend, who gets frustrated at being left behind says "Geez Louise" in the movie. I think that might be where it originates from.

You're all going to think I'm lying, but I am telling the God's honest truth. I coined the phrase circa 1985-86 when I was an MBA student at Portland State University. I used to hear people use the Name "Jesus Christ" like it was some kind of swear word and I thought how I could get the power of the emotion they want to express but not use the name of Christ in vain. I took the first part and it sounded like "Geez." I thought then to add someone's name to rhyme with it. I originally wanted to use a man's name but couldn't find any that rhymed exactly (e.g. Geez, Maurice). Then I thought maybe a woman's name and recalled Tina Louise from Gilligan's Island. So instead of a swear word using the Name of God Incarnate, I changed it to a kind of "Wow! Tina Louise" (as Ginger). Later, she and Dawn Wells (Mary Ann) appeared on a television commercial and I like to think that the big wink she gave at the end was intended for me. I started saying it around my friend's house and my friend's wife started saying it. She took it to work with her and I guess it spread like wildfire. It even made it to the movie Shawshank Redemption and now it is in dictionaries. Amazing. Some people tried telling me they've used it for years before it was coined in the mid-80's and I tell them, no, it only seems like you used it before then.

Archie Bunker said it in All in the Family in 1971 to his neighbor Louise Jefferson (who later rose to fame in The Jeffersons).

This person who claims to have originated it in the mid-eighties is full of it. I'm 54 yrs. old, and heard it throughout my life. My mom even used to say it, back in the 60's. Dream on, 5thAvenueVik. You are way bigger in your own mind than in reality.

Actually, it is ironic that 5thAvenueVic brought up his story. I find it quite plausible and very believable. In fact, I have coined a handfull of phrases myself. In 1989, I invented the term "super-dooper". I really liked the word 'super' but it just didn't seem to do justice when I applied it. I tried many combinations to try and hit the mark; "super-pooper", "super-hooper", I even tried "super-Jupiter", but nothing quite had that certain zing that I sought. Then suddenly, it came to me! "Super-dooper"! Everyone thinks I'm the greatest because I was able to come up with it. A lot of strangers have bought me drinks over the years to pay me homage.

"Geez" (or "Jeez") is short for Jesus. I should imagine "Louise" was added because it rhymes.