int. Obs. or arch. exc. dial. [Short for gadzooks (GAD sb.5 3); cf. Gods sokinges (GOD sb. 14 b).] An exclamation or minced oath, expressing vexation, surprise, or other emotion.
1634. Heywood, Witches Lancs., III. i. E 4. Zookes thou art so brave a fellow that I will stick to thee.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, IV. x. Zooks, parson, you remember how he recommended the veather o’ her to me.
1754. Garrick, Prol. to J. Brown’s ‘Barbarossa.’ He eat a plagy deal, Zooks! he’d have beat five Ploomen at a Meal!
1842. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Ser. II. Lay St. Cuth., Moral. And as for that shocking bad habit of swearing,… leave it to dustmen and mobs, Nor commit yourself much beyond ‘Zooks!’ or ‘Odsbobs!’
1855. Browning, Fra Lippo Lippi, 3. Zooks, what’s to blame?
