Now vulgar. Also 9 laws. [Cf. LA, LO, of which it may have been in origin an alteration prompted by an instinctive sense of expressiveness in the vowel sound; in later use it has coalesced with lor’ = LORD as an exclamation.] An exclamation now expressing chiefly astonishment or admiration, or (often) surprise at being asked a question; in early use chiefly asseverative.
With † law ye cf. la you s.v. LA.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., V. ii. 414. To begin Wench, so God helpe me law, My love to thee is sound sans cracke or flaw.
1602. Marston, Antonio’s Rev., IV. iii. Wks. 1856, I. 125. Lawe I, I begin to swell—puffe.
1620. Shelton, Quix., II. xxv. 169. Law ye there (quoth Sancho) did not I tell you [etc.].
1762. Ann. Reg., 134. ‘O law, madam,’ said the poor children.
1813. Sketches Charac. (ed. 2), I. 59. Law! I wonder at that, replied Mrs. Mansell.
1853. ‘C. Bede,’ Verdant Green, I. vi. ‘Law bless me, sir.’
1863–5. J. Thomson, Sunday at Hampstead, ix. But law! Think of becoming a poor naked squaw!
1878. Mrs. Stowe, Poganuc P., iii. 26. Laws, he’s an old bachelor.
1887. R. M. Johnston, in Harper’s Mag., April, 729/1. Ah, law me! But it’s no business of mine. Ibid., 729/2. Good gracious, laws o’ mercy, sister!
