dickens

views updated May 23 2018

dick·ens / ˈdikinz/ • n. [in sing.] inf., dated used for emphasis, euphemistically invoking the Devil: they work like the dickens she was in a dickens of a rush. ∎  (the dickens) used when asking questions to express annoyance or surprise: what the dickens is going on?

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

dickens

views updated Jun 08 2018

dickens euph. substitute for devil. XVI. prob. a fanciful use of the personal name Dickens, f. Dicken, Dickon, dim. of Dick, alt. of Rick, petform of Rickard, Richard.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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