by thunder

English

Adverb

by thunder (not comparable)

1. Used for emphasis, sometimes with a threatening implication.
   • 1849, Masonic Signet and Literary Mirror, volume 1, page 379:

     "Mr. Pillow, Sir, none of your impertinence, or I will chastise you as well as this fellow." "That's a two handed game, by thunder," said Long Tom, " […] I dare you to deadly combat. […] "

   • 1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 76:

     "Have it out with him to-night. Fair and square. Out he goes, Edmund, neck and crop. Out, by thunder."

   • 1999, J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Bloomsbury Publishing, →ISBN, page 283:

     'Shocking business ... shocking ... miracle none of them died ... never heard the like ... by thunder, it was lucky you were there, Snape ...'