2840: Great Scott Sep 29, 2024

The phrase "Great Scott", along with a number of other now-dated terms of astonishment, mirrors the normal euphemistic religious exclamations / swears, but it’s not entirely clear. It is likely, to some extent at least, that the origins may lie in a phonetic evolution from the German phrase "grüß Gott," meaning "great God." This transition reflects the historical presence of German immigrants in the United States, particularly during the 19th century. Alternatively, some scholars trace its use back to the American Civil War, specifically around General Winfield Scott who was astonishingly fat. This latter explanation is far less, likely, but may have assisted to bridge the gaps from the German immigrants bringing the phrase into mainstream English.