Great Scott!

Great Scott!
   Many exclamatory expressions have evolved with time, but no one knows where or when most of them arose. In the case of "Great Scott," however, there are some leads that word detectives have followed, but in most instances with questionable results.
   The best lead, and one that is subscribed to by a number of wordsmiths, attributes the expression to General Winfield Scott (1786-1866). Nevertheless, the expression did not emanate from him; it was about him. Scott was probably one of America's most brilliant generals; his armies were victorious in many battles in many wars. His men affectionately called him "old Fuss and Feathers" because of his love for colorful military ceremonies and uniforms. Those who were politically opposed to Scott jeeringly called him "Great Scott," denigrating his swagger and "put-on-airs" attitude. Those in the opposite camp exploited the expression as pointing to his dignity and poise. And so there were pros and cons. The pros could boast of Scott's nomination for the presidency of the United States. The contras could say, "True, but he lost the election." "Great Scott" is still an exclamation of surprise, wonder, admiration, or indignation. Although it seems to have originated in America in the late 1860s, some believe that the term is a euphemism for "Great God!"—a play on the German GruBGott.

Dictionary of eponyms. . 2013.

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  • Great Scott — Great Scott! is an exclamation of surprise or amazement.Possible originsThe expression dates back at least to the American Civil War, and may refer to the one time commander of the U.S. Army, General Winfield Scott. In a May 1861 edition of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Great Scott — Great Scott! Great Scott! Titre original Great Scott! Genre Série humoristique Créateur(s) Michael Curtis Greg Malins Production Tom Gammil Max Pross Tony Palermo (3 épisodes en 1992) Pays d’origine …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Great Scott ! — Great Scott! Great Scott! Titre original Great Scott! Genre Série humoristique Créateur(s) Michael Curtis Greg Malins Production Tom Gammil Max Pross Tony Palermo (3 épisodes en 1992) Pays d’origine …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Great Scott! — Titre original Great Scott! Genre Série humoristique Créateur(s) Michael Curtis Greg Malins Production Tom Gammil Max Pross Tony Palermo (3 épisodes en 1992) Pays d’origine …   Wikipédia en Français

  • great\ Scott — • great guns • great Godfrey • great Scott interj. informal A saying usually used to show surprise or anger. Great Godfrey! Uncle Willie is sitting on top of the flagpole! Great guns! the lion is out of his cage. Great Scott! Who stole my watch? …   Словарь американских идиом

  • Great Scott! — ► Great Scott! expressing surprise or amazement. [ORIGIN: arbitrary euphemism for Great God!] Main Entry: ↑great …   English terms dictionary

  • Great Scott! — An exclamation of surprise • • • Main Entry: ↑great * * * expressing surprise or amazement Origin: arbitrary euphemism for Great God! …   Useful english dictionary

  • great scott — An exclamation of surprise …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • Great Scott — В этой статье не хватает ссылок на источники информации. Информация должна быть проверяема, иначе она может быть поставлена под сомнение и удалена. Вы можете …   Википедия

  • great scott — ˈ ̷ ̷ˈskät interjection Usage: usually capitalized S Etymology: from the name Scott; euphemism for great God a mild oath * * * a euphemistic interjection or oath, usually expressing surprise, amazement, or the like. [1880 85; Scott, euphemism for …   Useful english dictionary

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