See quotation 1842.
1823. “Do tell!” exclaimed Remarkable; “and does the sea run as high as mountains, Benjamin?”—J. F. Cooper, ‘The Pioneers,’ i. xv.
1842. Among the peculiar expressions in use here [Maine], we noticed, that when a person has communicated some intelligence, in which the hearer feels an interest, he manifests it by saying, “I want to know;” and when he has concluded his narrative, the hearer will reply, “Oh! do tell.”—J. S. Buckingham, ‘The Eastern and Western States of America,’ i. 177.
1853. Do tell! I want to know! Did you ever! Such a powerful right smart chance of learning as you have is enough to split your head open right smack.—Daily Morning Herald, St. Louis, April 11.
1853. At last sez I, ‘Jidge! did you ever hev your portrait tuck?’ ‘No!’ sez he, ugly as you please. ‘nor never mean to, nuther.’ ‘Dew tell!’ sez I.—Knick. Mag., xlii. 222 (Sept.).
1857. ‘I want to know!’ exclaimed the Elder. ‘Why, how you talk!’ said the post-master. ‘Now du tell!’ cried the blacksmith.—Id., l. 237–8 (Sept.).
1871. Mrs. Stowe, ‘Oldtown Fireside Stories,’ passim.
