zounds

Zounds is an archaic exclamation, a minced oath that originated in the 16th century. It is a corruption of the phrase "God's wounds," referring to the wounds of Christ during his crucifixion. This euphemism was used to avoid the blasphemous direct invocation of God's name. Its usage became widespread in Elizabethan and Jacobean England, appearing frequently in literature of the period.

The expression served as an interjection expressing surprise, alarm, or exasperation. Over time, as the direct reference to religious imagery became less common or more offensive, "zounds" gradually fell out of fashion. Its usage declined significantly by the 18th century, and it is now rarely heard in modern English, often considered quaint or humorous when encountered. The word's transition from a common exclamation to a historical curiosity reflects evolving linguistic norms and changing societal attitudes towards religious expression.