'nation

See also: nation, Nation, and nâtion

English

Alternative forms

• 'Nation, nation

Interjection

'nation

1. (minced oath, archaic) Clipping of damnation (“expressing annoyance or disappointment”).
   • 1848, Anthony Trollope, chapter IX (Mr. Daly, the Attorney), in The Kellys and the O'Kellys, from the last London edition, New York, N.Y.: Rudd & Carleton, […], published 1860, pages 92–93:

     The two young men were acquainted, though not intimate with each other, and they bowed, and then shook hands; and Barry told the attorney that he was welcome to Dunmore House, and the attorney made another bow, rubbed his hands before the fire and said it was a very cold evening; and Barry said it was 'nation cold for that time of the year; which, considering that they were now in the middle of February, showed that Barry was rather abroad, and didn't exactly know what to say.

   • 1859, Charles Dickens, “The Mail”, in A Tale of Two Cities, London: Chapman and Hall, […], →OCLC, book I (Recalled to Life), page 5:

     "I hope there ain't, but I can't make so 'Nation sure of that," said the guard, in gruff soliloquy. "Hallo you!"

   • 1868, Charles Reade, Dion Boucicault, chapter IX, in Foul Play, volume I, London: Bradbury, Evans, & Co., […], →OCLC, page 163:

     "Stop a bit," said the mate, and, springing before the clergyman, he set his back against the door. "Don't be in such a nation hurry: for, if you do, it will be bad for me, but worse for you."

   • 1891, Thomas Hardy, chapter XXXVIII, in Tess of the d’Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented […], volume II, London: James R[ipley] Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., […], →OCLC, phase the fifth (The Woman Pays), page 259:

     'What's the meaning o' that? 'Nation seize such husbands as you seem to get, say I!'

   • 1894 December – 1895 November, Thomas Hardy, chapter VII, in Jude the Obscure, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], published 1896, →OCLC, part I (At Marygreen), pages 51–52:

     "You've got him to care for 'ee a bit, 'nation if you ha'n't!" murmured Anny, judicially. "It's well to be you!"