intj. (American).—An exclamation of surprise; an apology for an oath. [Possibly a memory of the name of Gen. Winfield Scott, a presidential candidate whose dignity and style were such as to win him the nickname “Fuss-and-Feathers.”] Also GREAT CÆSAR.
1888. New York Mercury. GREAT SCOTT! you don’t say so.
1890. A. C. GUNTER, Miss Nobody of Nowhere, p. 98. ‘Bob, what’s the matter with you? GREAT SCOTT! the mine hain’t give out?’
1891. Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette, 19 June, p. 396, c. 2. GREAT SCOTCH!—no, we mean Scott—well, language worthy of the great Harry prevailed for awhile.
1891. N. GOULD, The Double Event, p. 305. ‘GREAT SCOTT! what the deuce is Wells up to?’ said the Squire.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L. OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 106. GREAT CÆSAR!
1892. Tit-Bits, 19 March, p. 416, c. 1, ‘He Tried to Tell His Wife.’ He. GREAT CÆSAR! There you go again! She. James will you please remember that it is your wife to whom you are speaking, sir? He. No other woman could drive me raving, distracted, crazy, asking silly questions about—— She. James!
