stone the crows

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Interjection

stone the crows

1. (UK, Australia, colloquial) Generalized expression of surprise or amazement, or just for emphasis.
   • 1924, C. J. Dennis, Rose Of Spadgers, 1988, Sentimental Bloke and Other Verses, page 86,

     “Why, stone the crows! I′ll look yous up,” sez ′e. / “I need some friends: I ain′t got wife nor chick.”

   • 1988, Janette Turner Hospital, Charades, page 63,

     So I says to meself: stone the crows, I′m a doomed man, might as well shoot through. It was cyclone time, see, and there′s been flash floods and this rock as big as a house has gone.

   • 2008, Norman Jorgensen, Jack′s Island, 2011, ReadHowYouWant, page 170,

     ‘Stone the crows,’ I whispered in sheer relief.

Usage notes

May be used in combination with similar idiomatic expressions, as: stone the crows and pickle the lizards.

Synonyms

• (expression of surprise): holy cow, stone me