What does like the dickens mean?
Like the Dickens Meaning Definition: A lot; very much. This phrase is used as a general intensifier. Some common collocations are hurts like the dickens, run like the dickens, work like the dickens, miss you like the dickens, etc.
Where does the phrase like the dickens?
What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Like the dickens’? Dickens is a euphemism, specifically a minced-oath, for the word devil, possibly via devilkins. Shakespeare used ‘dickens’ in ‘the Merry Wives of Windsor, 1600: I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of.
What is the Dickens phrase?
What’s the origin of the phrase ‘What the dickens’? Dickens is a euphemism for the word devil, possibly via devilkins. A devilkin is a diabolical imp – a king of mini-devil. Euphemisms that avoid mention of either God or the devil are known as minced-oaths and ‘what the dickens’ is an archetypal example of that form.
What does the phrase the primrose path mean?
Definition of primrose path 1 : a path of ease or pleasure and especially sensual pleasure himself the primrose path of dalliance treads— William Shakespeare. 2 : a path of least resistance.
What does hurts like the devil mean?
informal. 1 : very much I’m sorry to hear about your injury. It must hurt like the devil. 2 : with a lot of energy and speed He ran like the devil.
Where did hurts like the dickens?
an expression common centuries before Charles Dickens was born, having been used by Shakespeare in ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’.” Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977, 1988).
Why is the use of the word Dickens funny here?
Word historians suggest that ‘dickens’ is a euphemism for The Beast, used because it sounds like the once-common alternative of ‘devilkins’. The Devil (artist’s impression; no photo available). So when you exclaim ‘What the Dickens?’ , you’re really saying ‘What the devil?’
What is a Devilkin?
Definition of devilkin : a little devil : imp.
