Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- An old minced oath, an abbreviation of
his (Christ's) nails (with which he was nailed to the cross).
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- interjection God's nails, or His nails, that is, the nails with which the Savior was fastened to the cross; -- an ancient form of oath, corresponding to '
Od's bodikins (dim. ofbody , i.e., God's dear body).
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- interjection obsolete An
oath .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From God's nails, or His nails, i.e. those with which Jesus Christ was crucified.
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Examples
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she commented on the word 'snails
Shortened exclamation; "By God's nails!"
July 9, 2008
yarb commented on the word 'snails
As in fingernails?
May 26, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the word 'snails
Fingersnails?
May 26, 2010
yarb commented on the word 'snails
No, we frown on that sort of thing where I'm from.
May 26, 2010