The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #64426 Message #2531383
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
04-Jan-09 - 02:30 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Wal, I Swan / Giddyap Napoleon (B H Burt)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Wal, I Swan / Giddyap Napoleon (B H Burt)
From Webster's Collegiate Dictionary; Their swasivious entry:
swan vi swanned; swanning [perhaps euphemism for swear] (1784) dial : Declare, swear.
The OED says perhaps northern English dialect, is'was, literally 'I shall warrant = I'll be bound'; later changing to current usage (U. S., obsolete in England). Also a swasivious explanation.
Gosh all hemlock, I have a new word! (Swasivious means 'agreeably persuasive'). 16th c. but should be revived.