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# the dickens

phrase (noun phrase, in exclamations: «what the dickens», «scared the dickens out of me», «as the dickens»)

«the dickens» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, old-fashioned) the Devil, used in mild swearing to add force: «What the dickens?» = What on earth?
2. (in phrases) a lot, very much: «hurt like the dickens», «scared the dickens out of me».

### In the lessons

A polite, old-fashioned way of swearing, so mild that grandparents and children's books use it. It has nothing to do with the writer Charles Dickens (though people sometimes think so). Heard in the UK, the US and elsewhere in comic or homely speech.

### Examples

- "What the dickens are you doing up there?" shouted the farmer.
- That thunder scared the dickens out of me!
- My knee hurt like the dickens after the fall.
- (old book) "Where the dickens is that boy?"
- (chat) the cat jumped out and scared the dickens out of me
- (grandma) "Who the dickens left the gate open?"
- (story) The puppy was as naughty as the dickens.

### Note

Trap: not about Charles Dickens the writer. It is mild and safe, but sounds old-fashioned. «Scared the dickens out of someone» = frightened them very badly.