LAWKS definition

Usage notes

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.

Quotations

1850:""Lawks! how uncomfortable," said the cook. "And M. Henri, was he wet too?" — La Vendée, Anthony Trollope
1988: ""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."" — Wyrd Sisters, Terry Pratchett
2000:"Only Philippa Chapple is unconvincing as the housekeeper Mrs Grose, too much of a stereotypical hand-wringer to take seriously... I expected her to say "Lawks!" at any moment." — Review of The Turn of The Screw, Tim Richards http://www.stageleft.com.au/turn.html
2002:""Lawks!" he said. "What a peculiar notion!" — Cousins Part IV -- In Which Merry Learns An In Interesting Truth http://www.tolkienonline.com/reading_room/comments.cfm?Item_ID=6839&Item_Type=articles