Obs. A deformation of the word God’s, in oaths and exclamations; cf. CODS, COTS. Also Cudso, Cudsho (cf. COTSO).
1599. Middleton & Rowley, Old Law, IV. i. Cud so, Gnotho, I’ll not tarry so long.
1607. Middleton, Michaelmas Term, II. iii. Cuds me! I’m undone. Ibid. (a. 1627), No Wit, V. ii. Cuds bodkins!
1663. T. Killigrew, Parson’s Wedding, I. ii. Cud’s body, they’re twigs of the old rod … that whipped us so lately.
1711. Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 1 July. Cudsho, the next letter to Presto will be dated from Wexford.
