Lordy

English

Etymology

Lord +‎ -y. Nineteenth century, originally U.S.

Alternative forms

• lordy

Interjection

Lordy (US)

1. Expressing mild emotion, such as exasperation or frustration.

   Lordy! Where's he off to now?

   • 1889 July 11, Herbert Tidd Bradley, “Fo' He am de Lord of de blue and de gray”, in America: A Journal for Americans, volume 2, page 453:

     Aunt Betty graciously permitted this. She always did; but if the forgetful old man wandered for a moment away from his theme she brought him back with a surreptitious: “Lordy! yo' ole head done filled wid me yit."

2. Expressing strong emotion, such as amazement.
   • 1863 March, “A horrible scrape”, in The Southern Literary Messenger, volume 37, page 172:

     Lordy! Call your dogs off, call your dogs off! Oh! Lordy! call em off quick! quick!

Usage notes

Often used in a combination like “Oh Lordy Lord” or even repeated “Oh Lordy, Lordy Lord”.

Synonyms

• Lord
• dear Lord
• lawks, lauk, Lawk