body of me

English edit

(dated) An oath.
- 1950, Mervyn Peake, Gormenghast:
  When it had settled, the youth, his head turned over his shoulder, his small dark red eyes half closed, heard Barquentine say: 'So you can call the dogs off! Body of me, if it isn't time! Time and enough. Nine days wasted! […]
- 1956, C. S. Lewis, The Last Battle:
  "Body of me," said Tirian. "That is better. I feel a true man again."