12-01-2026, 11:07 PM
That's just the minced oath use, though maybe evolved a bit further. The bottom line is that they're using "pox" in all kinds of exclamations.
The chronological evolution is as follows:
"I swear by Gott's five holy wounds/liver/lungs/... that I will pay you back".
"I swear by pox wounds that I will pay you back
"
"Pox liver! What is this place?"
The "exclamation" use expands and evolves over time.
The chronological evolution is as follows:
"I swear by Gott's five holy wounds/liver/lungs/... that I will pay you back".
"I swear by pox wounds that I will pay you back
""Pox liver! What is this place?"
The "exclamation" use expands and evolves over time.