by Jupiter en · INTJ
Etymology
From Latin pro Iuppiter. Ellipsis of a full oath of the form "I swear by Jupiter that…". Originally a literal oath; later a minced oath.
Meanings
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(obsolete, qualifier:Classics) Invocation of the Roman god Jupiter.
I see how it is with you. You are mad, / Stark mad, by Jupiter!
1820 [423 BC], “The Clouds”, in Thomas Mitchell, transl., The Comedies of Aristophanes, volume 1, translation of Νεφέλαι Nephelai by Aristophanes, page 91:
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(British, dated, qualifier:minced oath) by God.
"By Jupiter!" employing his usual mild expletive, "look here, old fellow, had she a white dress on, and geranium-colored bows, and—"
1874 September 14, Fannie Hodgson Burnett, “Pretty Polly Pemberton”, in Peterson's Magazine, volume 66, number 3, page 180:Away! By Jupiter, / This shall not be revoked!
c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, King Lear, act 1, scene 1, lines 178–179:"By Jupiter, Max, you are a good fellow if ever there was one!" exclaimed Mr Carlyle with gentlemanly emotion.
1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC: