son of a bachelor

English

Etymology

Attested from 1657.[1] Likely a minced oath of son of a bitch based on the assonance between bitch and the first syllable of bachelor, and with bachelor being less vulgar but implying bastardy.

Noun

son of a bachelor (plural sons of a bachelor or sons of bachelors)

1. (euphemistic, uncommon) Son of a bitch.
   • 1657, Thomas Jordan, The walks of Islington and Hogsdon, with the humours of Woodstreet-compter, a comedy.‎^[2], act 4, scene 2:

     You son of a Batchelor, do you throw your Pispots upon my head?