by gum
Old-fashioned emphatic oath
By gum is a mild exclamation expressing surprise, determination, or emphasis: By gum, I think he's right!
It's a euphemistic oath, substituting "gum" for "God" to avoid blasphemy.
The expression sounds old-fashioned and rural, associated particularly with Northern English and American folk speech.
Often used to reinforce a statement: I'll finish this project by gum.
Gentle exclamation of surprise
- geeMild exclamation of surprise
- goodnessMoral excellence
- graciousPleasantly kind and courteous
- blimeyBritish surprise interjection
crikey · my word · egad · zounds · huzzah · well I never · good heavens · good grief
Intense sudden wonder
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
- incredulityInability to accept something
shock · bewilderment · flabbergast · thunderstruck · speechless · gobsmacked · taken aback · caught off guard
Dialect from Britain's north
- YorkshireHistoric English county
- LancashireNorthwestern English county
- BritishOf the United Kingdom
- colloquialCasual, everyday language
vernacular · regional · provincial · working-class · informal · rustic
Word affirming emphasis
- certainlyWithout any doubt
- absolutelyCompletely, without exception
- trulyIn a genuine manner
- definitelyWith complete certainty
positively · I declare · I say · mark my words · believe me · without a doubt
golly
Gentle exclamation of surprise
blimey · crikey · my word · egad · zounds · huzzah · well I never · good heavens · good grief · upon my word
astonishment
Intense sudden wonder
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
incredulity · shock · bewilderment · flabbergast · thunderstruck · speechless · gobsmacked · taken aback · caught off guard · startled
Northern English
Dialect from Britain's north
- YorkshireHistoric English county
- LancashireNorthwestern English county
- BritishOf the United Kingdom
colloquial · vernacular · regional · provincial · working-class · informal · rustic
indeed
Word affirming emphasis
- certainlyWithout any doubt
- absolutelyCompletely, without exception
- trulyIn a genuine manner
definitely · positively · I declare · I say · mark my words · believe me · without a doubt