'sblood
Pronunciation
- IPA: /zblÊŒd/
Origin
Shortened from God's blood. Primarily in the Middle Ages and up to the early modern era and to a rare extent today, people would curse on God/Christ's body parts rather than breaking the Ten commandments (not to use the Lord's name in vain oaths). In this case, the exclamation refers to Christ's blood shed during the crucifixion and the Eucharist under the form of wine.
Full definition of 'sblood
Interjection
- (archaic) An exclamation formerly used as an oath, and an expression of anger or wonder.
- William Shakespeare, King Henry the Fourth Part 1, Act 3, Scene 3"'Sblood, I would my face were in your belly."
- William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2"'Sblood, do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?"
- Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers, chapter 5 page 62"S'blood; does that astonish you?"