maskinsn.
/ˈmɑːskɪnz/, /ˈmaskɪnz/, U.S. /ˈmæskɪnz/ English regional (northern) in later use.
In by the maskins!: expressing asseveration. Also (occasionally): by the Mary maskins! Cf. mackins n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [interjection] > religious oaths (referring to God) > (originally) with reference to mass
by the massc1404
by the mattea1556
by (the) mackins!?1577
mack!?1577
mass!?1592
by the maskins!1611
1611 G. Chapman May-day iv. sig. I2 b By the meskin me thought they were so indeede.
a1626 W. Rowley Shoo-maker (1638) iv. sig. H1v Keepe your tongue from chattering, or by the mary maskins Ile tickle your gaskins.
1647 R. Baron Εροτοπαιγνιον i. 53 By the Maskins I would give the best cow in my yard, to find out this raskall.
1665 C. Cotton Scarronnides 45 And now this Swabber, by the maskins, Has Dido by the Gally-Gaskins.
1757 ‘T. Bobbin’ View Lancs. Dial. (ed. 6) To Rdr. p. viii Neaw byth' maskins if I be naw fast!
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) II. Dialogues 293 By t'meskins,—I wad ayther a geen him a girt clout our t'heead, or degg'd him.
1886 B. Brierley Cast upon World 266 It's her, by the maskins!
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2000; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1611