swelp
perversion of so help, in the oath ‘so help me God’: see so adv. and conj. 19, and cf. s'elp, s'help.
| 1894 [see dicken, dickin int.]. 1899 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—.’ |