The phrase what the dickens was coined by William Shakespeare and originated in The Merry Wives Of Windsor Act 3, scene 2, 18--23, it was an oath to the devil said by Mrs Page.
Confidence votes 48. The phrase what the dickens was coined by William Shakespeare and originated in The Merry Wives Of Windsor Act 3, scene 2, 18--23, it was an oath to the devil said by Mrs Page. (The surname itself probably derives from Dickin or Dickon, familiar diminutive forms of Dick.). This is one of several phrases using dickens as a euphemism for devil such as what the dickens, where the dickens, the dickens you are, etc. Since its use can be traced back to Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, it has nothing to do with Charles Dickens. Origin. This phrase has nothing to do with Charles Dickens. Dickens is a euphemism, specifically a minced-oath, for the word devil, possibly via devilkins. Shakespeare used it in 'the Merry Wives of Windsor, 1600: I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of. See other phrases and sayings from Shakespeare. A lot; as in 'hurts like the dickens'. This phrase has nothing to do with Charles Dickens. Dickens is a euphemism, specifically a minced-oath, for the word devil, possibly via devilkins. Shakespeare used it in 'the Merry Wives of Windsor, 1600: I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of. See other phrases and sayings from Shakespeare. Yep. Dickens is a euphemism for devil as in 'what the dickens,'an expression common centuries before Charles Dickens was born, having been used by Shakespeare in 'The Merry Wives of Windsor'.  Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins  by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977, 1988).
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where does the phrase what the dickens come from