swelpadv.
colloquial.
‘So help’ in the oath ‘so help me God’: see so adv. and conj. 19.
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the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [phrase] > formula used in taking an oath
so help me Godc1175
so God me speedc1330
so maideuxc1450
so help me bob1821
so help me1869
swelp1894
1894 Bulletin (Sydney) 5 May 13/3 ‘And did yer stouch him back?’ ‘No.’ ‘Dicken!’ ‘Swelp me.’
1899 R. Whiteing No. 5 John St. vi. 54 Swelp me lucky I ain't tellin' yer no lie!
1901 H. Furniss Confess. Caricaturist I. vii. 283 Your hasting steed pull up, I say! S'welp me, draw your rein!
1937 N. Marsh Vintage Murder x. 112 It's true... S'welp me.
1981 J. Barnett Firing Squad vii. 74 ‘Think again—harder.’ ‘Swelp me, Mr Smiff—.’
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1894