PhrasesHub

Odds bodkins

    Definitions

      • surprise or mild annoyance
        Express surprise or irritation in a playful or humorous way

      • emphasis
        Emphasize a statement or express strong feelings about something

    Examples of Odds bodkins

    • The gardener swore that the plant would never grow in that spot, but odds bodkins, it's thriving!

      The idiom "odds bodkins" is used here to express surprise at the unexpected outcome of the gardener's prediction. It's a figurative way of saying "by all odds" or "good heavens" and is typically followed by an exclamatory remark. In this case, the speaker uses it to convey their amazement that the plant has defied the gardener's skepticism.

    • She spent hours trying to fix the old typewriter, but odds bodkins, the ink never stopped bleeding through the paper!

      Here, "odds bodkins" is used to express frustration or disbelief at the persistent failure of the typewriter to function properly. It's a colorful way of saying "for the life of me" or "oh, dear me" and implies that the speaker is at a loss as to how to resolve the problem.

    • After months of searching, I finally found the perfect gift for my brother, odds bodkins!

      In this example, "odds bodkins" is used to indicate the speaker's joy and satisfaction at having successfully tracked down the perfect gift for their brother. It's a more upbeat and optimistic usage of the idiom, as opposed to the previous examples, which were more focused on surprise or frustration. Here, "odds bodkins" functions as a way of emphasizing the speaker's excitement and delight at having solved the gift-giving challenge.

    • He claimed to be an expert on the subject, but odds bodkins, his presentation was a complete disaster!

      This example uses "odds bodkins" to show the speaker's disillusionment and disapproval of the person's supposed expertise. It's a more critical and judgmental usage than the previous examples, as it highlights the speaker's disappointment and annoyance with the claimed authority figure's failure to deliver a competent presentation. "Odds bodkins" functions here as a way of expressing the speaker's frustration at having wasted their time listening to an inadequate expert.

    • The detective scanned the crime scene with a furrowed brow, muttering to himself, "Odds bodkins, this is a real puzzler!"

      The phrase "odds bodkins" is an old-fashioned expression meaning "my goodness" or "good gravy." In this example, the detective uses it to express amazement or bewilderment at the complexity of the crime. It adds a touch of antiquated charm and humor to the scene, as well as conveying the character's strong emotions.

    • I've been meaning to clean out my closet for odds bodkins, but I just can't seem to get around to it!

      In this more lighthearted example, the speaker is using "odds bodkins" to mean "a really long time" or "forever." It's a humorous way to acknowledge a lingering task or chore that has been put off for too long.

    • "Odds bodkins, I think you're right," said Samantha, nodding wisely. "I've been seeing him around town a lot lately."

      In this example, "odds bodkins" is used to mean "I believe" or "I think so." It's a quaint and old-fashioned expression that adds a touch of elegance and charm to the dialogue.

    • "Odds bodkins, the cake's burnt!" exclaimed Fred, staring despairingly into the oven.

      In this final example, "odds bodkins" is used to convey strong disappointment or frustration. It's a colorful and expressive way to describe a mishap or mistake, and it adds a touch of humor and levity to the situation.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "odds bodkins" can be used to express surprise or mild annoyance in a playful or humorous way. It can also be used to add emphasis to a statement or to express strong feelings about something. It is a versatile phrase that can be used in various contexts to convey different emotions.

    Origin of "Odds bodkins"

    The origin of the idiom "odds bodkins" can be traced back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated as a euphemistic way of swearing, using "odds" as a substitute for "God's" and "bodkins" as a reference to the nails used in crucifixion. Over time, the phrase evolved to simply convey surprise or annoyance without the religious connotation. It has since become a quaint and old-fashioned expression that is used to add a touch of humor or emphasis to a conversation.

    One popular theory about the origin of the phrase is that it was used by William Shakespeare in his play "Hamlet," where the character Hamlet exclaims, "Odds bodkins, man, much better." This usage likely contributed to the phrase's enduring presence in the English language. While the exact origin may be unknown, "odds bodkins" remains a charming and expressive idiom that continues to be used in modern conversation.