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By george
Definitions
- 1 By God! Expressing wonderment or zeal. not-comparable
"Heaven knows, I cannot find it in my heart to blame you, but this much I will say, be it kind or unkind: when Captain Smollett was well, you dared not have gone off; and when he was ill and couldn’t help it, by George, it was downright cowardly!"
Etymology
"By (God and Saint) George" is an old English oath invoked immediately before charging into battle as late as World War I. Versions of this oath can be found in several of William Shakespeare's plays: including: *Henry VI, Part 1 (written circa 1591 and set in 1431): **"God and Saint George, Talbot and England's right, Prosper our colours in this dangerous fight!" **"Saint George and victory! Fight, soldiers, fight!" *Henry VI, Part 3 (written circa 1591 and set 1460 to 1471): **"Then strike up drums; God and Saint George for us!"; **"For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George!" **"Lords, to the field; Saint George and victory!" * Richard III: "God and Saint George! Richmond and victory!" * Henry V: "Follow your spirit, and upon this charge Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'"
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