Drat
/dræt/noun
An exclamation of annoyance or mild frustration.
Did you know?Drat is widely treated as a euphemistic minced oath, likely a softened form of 'God rot' or 'God rot it,' showing how speakers historically disguised profanity to keep the sting without the blasphemy.
Etymological Timeline
18th Century
English
drat
“A softened exclamation of annoyance, probably replacing a stronger curse.”
Earlier Modern English
English
God rot it
“An oath or curse wishing corruption or ruin.”
Old English
Old English
rotian
“To rot, decay, or perish.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*rutiną
“To rot or decay.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*rewd-
“To decay, crumble, or break apart.”