‖allemagtig, interjection

/ˌaləˈmaxtəx/
Forms:
α. alamagtig, allamagShow more alamagtig, allamag, allamaghtag, allamagtag, alle maaghte, allemag, allemaghte, allemagtie, allemagtig;
β. alamachtig, allamachShow more alamachtig, allamach, allamachta, allamachtag, allamachte, allamachtig, allemach, allemacht, allemachtag, allemachte, allemachter, allemachtig, almachte, almachtig;
γ. alamatjes, alla mopsticksShow more (Euphemisms) alamatjes, alla mopsticks, alle maskas, allemastig.
Also with initial capital.
Origin:
Afrikaans, DutchShow more Afrikaans allemagtig, allamagtig, earlier Dutch allamachtig, alla oh + magtig mighty; or Afrikaans almagtig, earlier Dutch almachtig almighty.
An exclamation of surprise, alarm, horror, or reproach, equivalent to ‘good Lord’. Cf. allewereld, magtig.
Note:
Often used by writers to suggest Afrikaans dialogue.
α.
1837 J.E. Alexander Narr. of Voy. II. 70An old Hottentot sat down..and swore with a round oath (almagtig) that he would not go back.
1866 J.W.D. Moodie Soldier & Settler 150If you ask them, why they want to leave you, their usual answer is, ‘Alamagtig! mynheer, I have been here for a whole year.’
1882 C. Du Val With Show through Sn Afr. I. 195£100 per month for waggons. Alle maaghte! Jumping Jerusalem!
c1929 S. Black in S. Gray Three Plays (1984) 79Allamag, he runs so fast I get soemaar giddy when I see him.
1949 C. Bullock Rina 30‘Allemagtig!’ shouted Piet. ‘You’ve broken the wagon.’
1959 J. Meiring Candle in Wind 32‘Allemagtig!’ exclaimed Martha, ‘How did she manage it?’
1963 K. Mackenzie Dragon to Kill 86‘Oooo! Yirra! Allemagtig!’ said Margaret, hopping from one foot to another.
1971 Daily Dispatch 22 Sept. 15 (advt)Allemagtig! 33 Lovely acres fronting large pool on Gonubie River with some 9 acres super lands.
c1976 H. Flather Thaba Rau 227Trudie burst out laughing. ‘Alamagtig’, she exclaimed, ‘What a thing to say!’
β.
1853 W.R. King Campaigning in Kaffirland 291Dutchmen flocked round..drawling out the constant exclamation Allamachtig! Allamachtig!
1880 E.F. Sandeman Eight Months in Ox-Waggon 361The meeting listened..to the explanations, but with many a muttered ‘Almachte’, and occasional nods and winks of disbelief.
1908 S. Black in S. Gray Three Plays (1984) 112Lady M: Go and tell Sophie to stop that gramophone. Frikkie (alarmed): O-o-o allamach, if I tell her that...
1910 J. Runcie Idylls by Two Oceans 50They would not let him pluck the birds himself. Allemachtig! Certainly not.
1911 L. Cohen Reminisc. of Kimberley 325‘Alamachtig’, ejaculated poor Leroux, opening his mouth and eyes to their fullest extent, and wishing himself dead.
1924 L. Cohen Reminisc. of Jhb. 167‘Sir Drummond has had his digit shot off.’ ‘Alamachtig!’ sighed the Boeress, to whom the strange word signified something more serious than a finger, ‘I do feel so sorry for his poor wife.’
1935 P. Smith Platkops Children 67‘Allamachta!’ ‘Tisje said, ‘If it isn’ Bram Laata! Grayshus sake! Get into bed!’
γ.
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 26Alamagtig, (D. almachtig, almighty.) A common expletive. Alamatjes, Alamastig, Alamopsticks, are forms of the word employed by those who have scruples about using the word Almagtig, and salve their consciences by these variations.
1920 R.Y. Stormberg Mrs Pieter de Bruyn 49He is mildly incredulous, and says something like ‘Alla Mopsticks — what genius is he, pray?’
1937 C.R. Prance Tante Rebella’s Saga 171A London couple..insisted on paying a shilling each to wash simultaneously in separate baths! Allemastig! Why two shillings for man and wife, when they could quite modestly have shared a bath at sixpence each?
1944 C.R. Prance Under Blue Roof 141Electric cookery! Allemastig! It is an uncanny thought savouring almost of ungodliness, with the possibility of electric shock in punishment.
1970 N. Conway Informant, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)Alle maskas for Alle Magtig.
An exclamation of surprise, alarm, horror, or reproach, equivalent to ‘good Lord’.
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