Back in “J” for jiggered, we encountered modifying a word slightly to make it more socially acceptable and today with Zounds! We have an expression that may have changed through running the words together rather than deliberately disguising them Zounds is short for “God’s wounds” and similarly Blimey or Cor Blimey is for “God Blind Me” both of which are taking the Lord’s name in vain – not even recognised in current usage as swear words let alone as having a religious significance! Even Lordy is taking the Lord’s name in vain… Bloody – a very common swear word is short for the blood of Christ and is compounded in one of my mother’s favourite expressions of frustration “Hells Bells and Buckets of Blood!” which after our trip to Australia in 1968, where they use bloody with gay abandon, became “Hells Bells and Buckets of Bloody Blood!”
The Wikipedia article on Cant Languages became a feature of this year’s A to Z theme ever since writing about Cockney rhyming slang and I hope you have clicked through to a few. There is one language listed for Z but there is no article on it…
Zargari[
So there you have it, another year of A to Z letters completed – but there will be a Reflections post and I will start the Road trip by reviewing this year’s frequent flyers in my comment sections for which I thank you all and I hope you enjoyed it!
This has been such an entertaining read throughout the month. Thank you.
And thank you too Misky – you have inspired me to explore AI image and word generation…
Interesting to read how some of these words came to pass…some I knew and some not. I had a chuckle about our Aussie use of bloody with gay abandon, and your mother’s adaptation.
Thanks Pauline – I think my own favourite Strine expression is “You Flaming Galah!”
I agree with the others who have commented so far. Your posts have been interesting to read. A lot of new stuff to me. Thanks for producing such a great A to Z this year.
I think this is the first time I have been thanked so much – thanks – it means a lot!
Congratulation on completing 2023 A-to-Z. Lots of fun posts to read, thanks for sharing.
Stopping in from A-to-Z: https://brewingcoffeetwistingwordsbreakingpencils.ca/2023/04/30/zombie-halloween-book-review/
Thanks for that and I know where to come for a good book review…
This has been a fascinating series for the A-Z and I am sure I will be referring back to the posts from time to time. Congrats on the finish!
Donna McNicol – My A to Z Blogs
DB McNicol – Small Delights, Simple Pleasures, and Significant Memories
My Snap Memories – My Life in Black & White
Thanks Donna – I will be reviewing you on the Road trip for sure…
Congratulations on completing the A to Z. Your theme this year is one I never tire of!
Alphabet of Alphabets: Zebras
I am sure I will continue to think of phrases I could have explored so maybe every now and then, I will have to do a lucky dip post.
Thank you too for visiting..
Congratulations! This was a terrific theme, well researched and recounted with such zest. Really fun to read. Hells Bells and Buckets of Bloody Blood! This one may just replace the curses of Captain Haddock in the TinTin books. That reminds me, my father’s favorite adjective along these lines was “flaming”. Someone was a flaming idiot or something a flaming nuisance.
Cheers,
J
Thank YOU Josna for all your visits – anybody who reads Tintin is a friend of mine…
I would not have guessed any of the words had religious significance. But as I was considering your post I thought of gadzooks and discovered it fit the category as well.
I really enjoyed your theme and found your posts fascinating. Congratulations on a challenge well played.