by Jupiter

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English

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Etymology

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From Latin pro Iuppiter. Ellipsis of a full oath of the form "I swear by Jupiter that…". Originally a literal oath; later a minced oath.

Interjection

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by Jupiter

  1. (obsolete, Classics) Invocation of the Roman god Jupiter.
    • 1820 [423 BC], “The Clouds”, in Thomas Mitchell, transl., The Comedies of Aristophanes, volume 1, translation of Νεφέλαι Nephelai by Aristophanes, page 91:
      I see how it is with you. You are mad, / Stark mad, by Jupiter!
  2. (dated, chiefly British) Minced oath for by God.
    • c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, King Lear, act 1, scene 1, lines 178–179:
      Away! By Jupiter, / This shall not be revoked!
    • 1874 September, Fannie Hodgson Burnett, “Pretty Polly Pemberton”, in Peterson's Magazine, volume 66, number 3, page 180:
      "By Jupiter!" employing his usual mild expletive, "look here, old fellow, had she a white dress on, and geranium-colored bows, and—"

Synonyms

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