Gadzooks

Posted by Bruce Kahl on May 03, 2000

In Reply to: Word Origin posted by Tom on May 03, 2000

: I've searched high and low but can't find the origin of the word "GADZOOKS'. Can anyone help?

From Merriam Webster:

Main Entry: gad·zooks
Pronunciation: gad-'züks, -'zuks
Function: interjection
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: perhaps from God's hooks, the nails of the Crucifixion
Date: 1694
archaic -- used as a mild oath