1848. Burton, Waggeries, p. 77. A bevy of ready helps rushed upon him and tore him from the seat of honour.
1861. Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxford, ch. vi. ‘Well, you’ve had a pretty good day of it,’ said Tom, who had been hugely amused; ‘but I should feel nervous about the help, if I were you.’
So help (or s’elp or s’welp) me God (Bob, never, or say-so, etc.), phr. (common).—An emphatic asseveration.
1888. J. Runciman, The Chequers, p. 86. I’ll pay it back, s’elp me Gord.
1892. A. Chevalier, ‘Mrs. ’Enery ’Awkins.’ Selp me Bob I’m crazy, Liza, you’re a daisy.
1892. Milliken, ’Arry Ballads, p. 62. ’Selp me never, old pal, it’s a scorcher.
1893. Emerson, Signor Lippo, ch. xiv. Well, so help my blessed tater, if this isn’t our old Jose turned up again.
Helpa, subs. (back).—An apple.
Helpless, adj. (colloquial).—Drunk. For synonyms, see Drinks and Screwed.
Hemispheres, subs. (venery).—The paps. For synonyms, see Dairy.