lawks

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

• lawk, lauk, lork, lorks

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /lɔːks/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /lɔks/
• (cot–caught merger) IPA^(key): /lɑks/

lawks

1. (UK, dialectal) Lord! (especially as an expression of surprise)
   • 1850, Anthony Trollope, La Vendée:

     "Lawks! how uncomfortable," said the cook. "And M. Henri, was he wet too?"

   • 1988, Terry Pratchett, Wyrd Sisters:

     "Your civic pride does you credit," said Hwel. "And now, please, leave the cart. I'm sure you've got some wood to gather. Lawks."

This is a stereotypical utterance of a Cockney house-servant in literature, particularly 19th-century and early 20th-century literature, but by the end of the 20th century its use had become primarily ironic outside of historical fiction.

• Lord, lordy
• dear Lord

• lawks a-mercy

• SWALK, Walks, walks