Well Simon, I've looked into this for you and apparently the first recorded use is from 1775 - and originally in New England dialect, perhaps a dialectic formation from 'pest' (cf. 'plaguy') = "confounded, annoying, disagreeable". However, in his Short Etymological Dictionary Of Modern English, Eric Partridge suggests a possible origin in Essex dialect.
Ah yes I rememeber it well rushing home from school to watch Scooby Velma, Shaggy and the gang, eating Alphabetti Spaggetti on toast and waiting for Blue Peter with Val Singleton, John Noakes and Peter Purves. It'll be time to get that bloody coat hanger advent monstrosity outta the loft before you know it!
Now you know why you can't find any wire coat hanger anymore.
Your clock widget hasn't been put back.
ReplyDeleteHappy halloween!
Curses!
ReplyDeleteYou would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for those pesky kids.
ReplyDeleteWhat does pesky mean anyway?
Well Simon, I've looked into this for you and apparently the first recorded use is from 1775 - and originally in New England dialect, perhaps a dialectic formation from 'pest' (cf. 'plaguy') = "confounded, annoying, disagreeable". However, in his Short Etymological Dictionary Of Modern English, Eric Partridge suggests a possible origin in Essex dialect.
ReplyDeleteNow what about 'Zoinks' ?
ReplyDeleteScooby Dooby Doo!
ReplyDeleteAh yes I rememeber it well rushing home from school to watch Scooby Velma, Shaggy and the gang, eating Alphabetti Spaggetti on toast and waiting for Blue Peter with Val Singleton, John Noakes and Peter Purves. It'll be time to get that bloody coat hanger advent monstrosity outta the loft before you know it!
ReplyDeleteNow you know why you can't find any wire coat hanger anymore.
bloody hell - i bet that row kept the little blighters away. in the nicest way obviously
ReplyDeletex