darˈnation
Perversion of damnation, in profane use. (Chiefly U.S.)
| 1798 Aurora (Philadelphia) 14 Aug. (Thornton, s.v. Nation), It seems as if the Irish are as incorrigible as the darnation Bostonians. 1825 S. Woodworth Forest Rose i. iii, Darnation take the garlic, I say. 1832 [see tarnation n.]. 1840 Daily Pennant (St. Louis) 9 May (Thornton, s.v. Chip), It wouldn't take so much..to make it a darntation sight riz-er. 1878 Mrs. Stowe Poganuc P. iii. 33 If I didn't hold on to him he'd have us all to the darnation in five minutes. 1924 in Dialect Notes V. 265. |