bad cess
nounEtymology Uncertain. Occurs in print at least as early as 1831, when Samuel Lover used the expression as one already long-established. He unambiguously stated the derivation of cess in the malediction bad cess to be an abbreviation of success. OED speculated that it either was from success or from assessment meaning a military or governmental exaction.
- ...and so says the king to himself, "the divil receave the dhrop of that wine they shall get," says he, "... bad cess to the dhrop," says he, "my big-bellied bishop, to nourish your jolly red nose..."1831, Samuel Lover, Legends and Stories of Ireland:
- Bad cess to me, but it's too provokin', so it is; — and why couldn't you tell me so at wanst?1834, Samuel Lover, Legends and Stories of Ireland:
2 more examples
- Bad cess to the villains, but it's themselves that put me into the hobble, the thievin' rogues of the world.1836, Philip Dixon Hardy, Legends, Tales, and Stories of Ireland:
- Seen it with the ould Canal Company, bad cess to them, and all. People are decent enough in ones and twos, and maybe even threes, but they're worse than a lot of bad-mannered dogs when they band together into a crowd.1963, Michael Farrell, Thy Tears Might Cease, Hutchinson: