Tudor & Stuart · oath · interjection
egad
ee-GAD /iːˈɡæd/ (UK), /iˈɡæd/ (US)pronunciation given by a dictionary
First recorded1673
A mild exclamation of surprise, emphasis or annoyance. A softened oath whose second part is 'God' (as 'Gad'); the first part is uncertain — perhaps 'ah' or 'oh', or 'I'.
Where it was first recorded
Dated 1673 by Merriam-Webster, which does not name the work (Green's earliest citation: Rochester, 'Tunbridge Wells', 1674)
Also spelled: egads, i'gad, agad, ecod
In its own time
I'll never forgive you, if you don't come back stark mad with rapture and impatience--if you don't, egad, I will marry the girl myself!
Today
Modern exampleEgad, is that the time? The shop shuts in five minutes!
Fine to use today, usually humorously; 'egads' is a common variant.
A minced form of an oath on God; harmless today.
Questions
What does egad mean?
A mild exclamation of surprise, emphasis or annoyance. A softened oath whose second part is 'God' (as 'Gad'); the first part is uncertain — perhaps 'ah' or 'oh', or 'I'.
When was egad first used?
It is first recorded 1673 — first recorded date 1673 per Merriam-Webster; work not named (Green's earliest citation: Rochester, 'Tunbridge Wells', 1674).
Can you still use egad today?
Fine to use today, usually humorously; 'egads' is a common variant.
Sources
- egad — Merriam-Webster
- egad — Online Etymology Dictionary
- egad!, excl. — Green's Dictionary of Slang
- egad — Wiktionary
- The Rivals (Sheridan) — Project Gutenberg #24761
Checked 2026-09-30 · verdict: attested — found in the dictionaries and texts listed above