lo and behold en · INTJ
Pronunciation
- (Southern-England) audio
Etymology
The lo in the expression probably originated from the shortening of the word look, commonly seen in Middle English texts. Its presence in literature can be traced to at least as early as the 18th century. The literal meaning of the expression is look and see, and it is always used as if in the imperative.
Meanings
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Used to express surprise.
1995, Robin Hobb, Assassin's Apprentice : The Farseer Trilogy Book 1, Del Rey Mass Market Edition, p. 117. And when Regal and I rode down to get it, lo and behold, it's from Patience, to tell us Chivalry's dead.
Here was I sat down, full of Love and Respect to write my dearest Friends a dutiful and loving letter, when lo, and behold! I was made happy by the receipt of yours.
1766, "Miss N", Select letters Between the Late Duchess of Somerset, Lady Luxborough, Mr Whistler, ... and Others, Thomas Hull (editor)
Translations (41)
sv hör och häpna (used to express surprise) · tr bak şu işe (used to express surprise) · nb har du sett (used to express surprise) · sv se på fan (used to express surprise) · ar يَا لَلْعَجَبِ (used to express surprise) · ru о чу́до (used to express surprise) · ko 자, 보시라 (used to express surprise) · tr bak sen (used to express surprise) · de schau mal an! (used to express surprise) · kl sunaaffa! (used to express surprise) · fi kas kummaa (used to express surprise) · he והפלא ופלא (used to express surprise) · hi देखो एवं अवलोकन करो (used to express surprise) · ja 見よ (used to express surprise) · ca ves per on! (used to express surprise) · fr voilà-t-il pas (used to express surprise) · es ¡que sorpresa! (used to express surprise) · ru вот чудеса́ (used to express surprise) · nl kijk eens! (used to express surprise) · pt veja só (used to express surprise) · fr tiens, tiens ! (used to express surprise) · ja 驚くべきことに (used to express surprise) · sv se där (used to express surprise) · es ¡y quién lo iba a decir! (used to express surprise) · fr et voilà ! (used to express surprise) · ru смотри́-ка (used to express surprise) · sh i gle čuda! (used to express surprise) · ru глядь (used to express surprise) · sv har du sett (used to express surprise) · cmn 你瞧 (used to express surprise) · hi देखो और अवलोकन करो (used to express surprise) · cmn 你瞧瞧 (used to express surprise) · ro ia te uită (used to express surprise) · lt žiūrėk tu man (used to express surprise) · nl neen maar! (used to express surprise) · hu íme (used to express surprise) · pl patrzcie! (used to express surprise) · de siehe da! (used to express surprise) · ru вот те на́ (used to express surprise) · it guarda caso (used to express surprise) · hu lám (used to express surprise)