gadzooks

• odsooks, adzooks, odzooks, odzookens, odzookers

Contraction of God’s hooks, a reference to the nails of the crucifixion of Christ.

• IPA^(key): /ɡædˈzuːks/

• Audio (Southern England)

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• Rhymes: -uːks

gadzooks

1. (archaic) An expression of surprise, shock etc.
   • 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter II:

     “I should explain that among the books that recently arrived at the office was a slim volume from his pen dealing with the Preparatory School and giving it an enthusiastic build-up. The formative years which we spent there, he said, were the happiest of our life.”
     “Gadzooks!”

• See Thesaurus:wow

• gadzookery