by jingo

Betekenis (Engels)

Used to express determination or surprise.

Uncertain for a long time. Main theories include: * a minced oath of "by Jesus"; compare crikey, zounds, egads, etc. * a corruption ultimately of "by St. Gingoulph", in reference to Saint Gangulphus of Burgundy. * a borrowing from Basque Jinkoa (“god”); compare by Jove. Basque sailors ― a common famous occupation for their people, who often swore by their term for God ― travelled far through the seas for centuries, and often met Englishmen.

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