Anglo-Irish. [? for success, or from CESS1 sense 2.] In phrase bad cess to = ‘bad luck to, evil befall.’
1859. Punch, 17 Dec., 246/1. Carlisle and Russell—bad cess to their clan!
1860. Lover, Leg. & Stories (ed. 10), 313. Bad cess to you, can’t you say what you’re bid.
