Zoodikers, int.

zoodikers
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zoodikers_int%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2017

# † Zoodikersinterjection

## Earlier version

- zoodikers, int. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the interjection Zoodikers mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the interjection Zoodikers. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the late 1700s.

### Where does the interjection Zoodikers come from?

Earliest known use

mid 1700s

The earliest known use of the interjection Zoodikers is in the mid 1700s.

OED's earliest evidence for Zoodikers is from 1749, in the writing of Henry Fielding, author and magistrate.

Zoodikers is probably a variant or alteration of another lexical item.

Etymons: Zookers int.

### Nearby entries

1. zoochemistry, n. 1835–
2. zoochlorella, n. 1882–
3. zoochore, n. 1904–
4. zoochorous, adj. 1904–
5. zoochory, n. 1921–
6. zoo-crazy, adj. 1938–
7. zoocultural, adj. 1899–
8. zooculture, n. 1873–
9. zoocytium, n. 1880–
10. zoodendrium, n. 1880–
11. Zoodikers, int.1749–98
12. zoodynamic, adj.?1819–
13. zoodynamics, n. 1888–
14. zooecial, adj. 1873–
15. zooecium, n. 1871–
16. zooerythrin, n. 1871–
17. zooflagellate, n. & adj. 1911–
18. zooful, n. 1914–
19. zoofulvin, n. 1871–
20. zoogamete, n. 1879–
21. zoogene, n. 1820–69

## Etymology

### Summary

Probably a variant or alteration of another lexical item.
Etymon: Zookers int.
Probably an alteration (with insertion of a medial syllable ‑di‑, perhaps after God's bodikins! and ods bodikins! at bodikin n. 2) of Zookers int.

Compare earlier Zooks int.…
Probably an alteration (with insertion of a medial syllable ‑di‑, perhaps after God's bodikins! and ods bodikins! at bodikin n. 2) of Zookers int.

Compare earlier Zooks int.

### Notes

New English Dictionary (OED first edition) (1921) gives the pronunciation as (zū·dikəɹz) /ˈzuːdɪkəz/ .

## Meaning & use

Obsolete. rare.

1. 1749–98
   Used as an oath or exclamation expressing asseveration, surprise, etc. Cf. Zookers int., Zooks int., zoonters int.
   1. 1749

      > Zoodikers! She'd have the Wedding to-Night.

      H. Fielding, Tom Jones vol. VI. xviii. xii. 289
   2. 1798

      > Zoodikers!

      J. Ebers, New & Compl. Dictionary German & English Language vol. II. at Poß!
   1. Zooks 1600–
      Used as an oath or exclamation expressing asseveration, surprise, etc. Cf. Gadzooks, int., Zookers, int., Zoodikers, int.
   2. Zookers 1620–
      Used as an oath or exclamation expressing asseveration, surprise, etc. Cf. Zooks, int., Zoodikers, int., zoonters, int.
   3. Gadzooks a1652–
      Used as a mild oath to express surprise, alarm, etc., or to affirm the truth of a statement. Cf. Godzooks, int., Gadzookers, int.
   4. Gadzookers 1672–
      Used as a mild oath to express surprise, alarm, etc., or to affirm the truth of a statement; = Gadzooks, int.
   5. adzooks 1675–
      Used as an oath to express asseveration, surprise, etc.
   6. odzookers 1688–1884
   7. odzooks 1688–1895
   8. cotzooks 1705–19
      As an asseveration or exclamation.
   9. Zoodikers 1749–98
      Used as an oath or exclamation expressing asseveration, surprise, etc. Cf. Zookers, int., Zooks, int., zoonters, int.
   10. od's wucks 1785–1850
   View in Historical Thesaurus

Zoodikers, int. was revised in June 2017.

Zoodikers, int. was last modified in December 2024.