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 (Southern England):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -uːks

Interjection

gadzooks

1. (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!”

Synonyms

• See Thesaurus:wow

Derived terms

• gadzookery

Translations

Translations

• Czech: jejdanánku (cs), jémine (cs), božíčku, šmankote (cs)
• Spanish: por los clavos de Cristo (es)