Gadzooks

[ gad-zooks ]

/ ˌgædˈzuks /

(used as a mild oath.)

Also Odzooks, Odzookers.

Origin of Gadzooks

1645–55; perhaps representing God's hooks (i.e., the nails of Christ's Cross); cf. Gad

Gadzooks, a most ingenious contrivance—if we were to go through with it.

Love for Love |William Congreve
The poor fish claps his hand to his forehead and cries 'Gadzooks!

The Adventures of Sally |P. G. Wodehouse
Gadzooks, Jenny, will I never get sense or liberality into your head?

The Evil Eye; Or, The Black Spector |William Carleton
Well, this Mr. Summerfield is a brave Fellow, Gadzooks he is.

The City Bride (1696) |Joseph Harris

Gadzooks, neighbors, but I shouldn't be a whit surprised if that old party is a duke in disguise!

The Frontiersmen |Charles Egbert Craddock

gadzooks

/ (ɡædˈzuːks) /

archaic a mild oath

C17: perhaps from God's hooks (the nails of the cross); see Gad 1