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June 28, 2005

quotha (KWO-thuh) interjection

Indeed.
[From quoth a, an alteration of quoth he (said he).]

The word is used to express surprise or sarcasm, after quoting someone. Another, much older term with the same meaning is forsooth (literally, for truth).


"'Such stuff as dreams are made on,' quotha."
Dennis O'Donnell; Tobacco Pipes; The Scotsman (Edinburgh, Scotland); Nov 7, 2000.

"The wicked London tavern - thieves and drabs
To affront the blessed hillside drabs and thieves
With mended morals, quotha -- fine new lives!"
Elizabeth Barrett Browning; Aurora Leigh; 19th c.


This week's theme: archaic words.

PronunciationRealAudio

Permalink:
http://wordsmith.org/words/quotha.html

Posted by Keya at June 28, 2005 08:59 PM
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