Date: Sat, 29 Apr 1995 11:22:35 -0500

From: Natalie Maynor maynor[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]RA.MSSTATE.EDU

Subject: Re: Anodyne Expletives



Anyone know the origin of the Southernism "I swan?" Meaning, I think,



It's presumably a clipped form of "I swanny" (I've heard "swan" more

than "swanny" btw). According to the AHD, "swanny" is probably an

alteration of "I s'wan ye," from "I shall warrant ye."

--Natalie (maynor[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ra.msstate.edu)