Everything about "pox leber" as a minced oath, and an earlier source.

[Koen G]

Your example is from before(?) 1450. The anachronistic aspect no longer applies.

1449, so technically the first half of the 15th century

While it does not mention "poxleber" specifically, I definitely agree that this sermon nullifies objections of anachronism (including my own). The author is complaining that people are swearing by "pox-bodypart", thereby not backing up their oaths with a proper witness. By 1449, the pox-swearing was clearly widespread among the commonfolk in the author's surroundings.


[A side note on the subtleties of swearing objections. I first said that people resorted to minced oaths because the Church didn't like them swearing by God. But this sermon voices the opposite sentiment. When you swear an oath, you have to swear it with God as your witness. You have to believe that Jesus' liver will be hurt when you break your promise or commit perjury. That's how serious swearing by God is. So when people start swearing by "pox", this author feels like they are dodging God not to avoid blasphemy, but rather to avoid having to tell the truth or keep up their end of the bargain. He wants them to swear by God instead of a "hircus". ]