Date: Sat, 29 Apr 1995 11:22:35 -0500 From: Natalie Maynor 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)