intj. (common).—‘So help’: usually in the adjurations, ‘S’WELP ME BOB,’ or ‘S’WELP MY TATERS’ (BOB, GREENS, etc.).
1837. R. H. BARHAM, The Ingoldsby Legends (The Dead Drummer).
| For his jaw-work would never, I’m sure, S’ELP ME BOB, | |
| Have come for to go for to do sich a job! |
c. 1850. Old Rhyme. S’ELP ME BOB, My mother’s a snob, My father takes in washin’.
1851–61. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, iii. 144. They’ll say, too, S’ELP MY GREENS! and ‘Upon my word and say so.’
1880. PAYN, A Confidential Agent, xix. ‘Not another word will I say, S’HELP ME BOB.’
1888. J. RUNCIMAN, The Chequers, 86. I’ll pay it back, S’ELP ME GORD.
1891. Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette, 13 Jan. Well, S’ELP ME GREENS … if you ar’n’t the greatest treat I ever did meet.
1891. CHEVALIER, Mrs. ’Enery ’Awkins.
| SELP ME BOB, I’m crazy, | |
| Liza, you’re a daisy. |
1893. P. H. EMERSON, Signor Lippo, xiv. SO HELP MY BLESSED TATER if this isn’t our old Jose.
1897. MARSHALL, Pomes, 30. If I wasn’t sich a lidy, S’ELP ME BOB, I’d give the bloomin’ magistrate a job.
1899. R. WHITEING, No. 5 John Street, vi. SWELP ME LUCKY, I ain’t tellin yer no lie.
