My lans

Posted by ESC August 26, 2009 at 18:07In reply to Well I swan posted by ESC on August 26, 2009 at 11:49:

Where did the phrase, 'Well I swan'...and...'Well My Lans' originate?

Swan = swear. Several discussions in the archives including: www.phrases.org.uk bulletin_board 21 messages 436.html

Lan = land. And "land" is a "euphem for 'Lord,'" according to "Dictionary of American Regional English," Volume III by Frederic G. Cassidy and Joan Houston Hall (1996, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass., and London, England). Page 284. 1834: For the land's sake. Land's sake!