subs. (old).—The DEVIL (q.v.) or DEUCE (q.v.); used interchangeably. [A corruption of NICK (q.v.).] For synonyms, see SKIPPER.
1596. SHAKESPEARE, Merry Wives of Windsor, iii. 2. I cannot tell what the DICKENS his name is.
1653. URQUHART, Rabelais, I. prol. (BOHN), vol. I., p. 99. But hearken, joltheads, you vie-dayes, or DICKENS take ye.
1727. GAY, The Beggar’s Opera, Act I., Sc. 1. Peach. What a DICKENS is the woman always whimpering about murder for! No gentleman is ever looked upon the worse for killing a man in his own defence.
1754. FOOTE, The Knights, Act II. Mally Pengrouse! Who the DICKENS is she?
1824. R. B. PEAKE, Americans Abroad, i., 1. Oh! the DICKENS—I’m stunded!
1880. G. R. SIMS, Zeph and Other Stories, ch. xv. ‘Inez is fretting after Pedro,’ he said to himself, ‘but wnat the DICKENS is Totty blubbering about?’
1889. C. HADDON CHAMBERS, Ne’er-do-Well, ‘In Australian Wilds.’ What the DICKENS could I do? I believe I swore a little at first, and then I flourished my whip.
