gadzooks
English
Alternative forms
- odsooks, adzooks, odzooks, odzookens, odzookers
Etymology
Contraction of God’s hooks, a reference to the nails of the crucifixion of Christ.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ɡædˈzuːks/
Audio (UK) (file) - Rhymes: -uːks
Interjection
gadzooks
- (archaic) An expression of surprise, shock etc.
- 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter II:
- “I should explain that among the books that recently arrived at the office was a slim volume from his pen dealing with the Preparatory School and giving it an enthusiastic build-up. The formative years which we spent there, he said, were the happiest of our life.”
“Gadzooks!”
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Synonyms
- See Thesaurus:wow
Derived terms
- gadzookery
Translations
Translations
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