by Jove

phrase

variants or less commonly by jove

chiefly British, old-fashioned + sometimes humorous

—used interjectionally to express surprise or to add emphasis

By jove, Randal, how pleasant a thing is life in London!

—Edward Bulwer-Lytton

"By jove, Lily, you do look a stunner!"

—Edith Wharton

… I've made up my mind to one thing, and, by Jove, I'll stick to it.

—Anthony Trollope

They are not attractive … and nor are they particularly comfortable or cheap, but by Jove they work.

—Bryony Gordon

… a setting in which one fully expects to overhear such expletives as Egad! or By Jove! or Bully! …

—Hudson Bridges

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for by Jove

• alcove
• mangrove
• clove
• cove
• drove
• rove
• shrove
• stove
• strove
• throve
• trove
• wove