Minced form of LORD sb. † a. As an exclamation or in trivial phrases, = LORD sb. 6 b, c (obs.). b. In comic representations of the affected or hurried pronunciation used by lawyers addressing a judge in court, and by clerks in the House of Lords: see LORD sb. 15 b.
1725. Vanbrugh, Prov. Wife, IV. iii. [2nd vers.] That Fellow wou’d have ravish’d me. 2nd Watch. Ravish! Ravish! O lud! O lud! O lud! Ravish her!
1767. G. S. Carey, Hills of Hybla, 33. To make me soldier ’gainst my will, and go the lud knows where.
1773. Goldsm., Stoops to Conq., II. Wks. (Globe), 657/2. O lud! he has almost cracked my head.
1777. Sheridan, Sch. Scand., III. i. Lud! Sir Peter, I hope you haven’t been quarrelling with Maria?
1818. Scott, Rob Roy, v. ‘Read whom, ma’am?—I do not even remember the author’s name.’ ‘O lud! on what a strand are you wrecked!’ replied the young lady.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., I. 36. But soldiers, they’re the boys to make a rout,… Lud, clowns are almost mad where’er they come.
1830. [see LORD sb. 15 b].
1898. Besant, Orange Girl, II. xii. ‘My Lud,’ said Mr. Caterham, ‘my case is completed.’
