Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a euph. form of God, and used as such in oaths.

1519		J. Rastell The Four Elements line 41: Gog’s nails, I have paid some of them, I trow. [Ibid.] line 570: If ye drynke a draught or too, It wyll make you or ye thens go, By Goggys body, starke madde. [Ibid.] line 615: Gogges passyon said ye not thus .
c.1525		J. Rastell Gentleness and Nobility line 597: By Gogges swete body, thou lyest falsely.
1533		J. Heywood Pardoner and Friar Biv: By gogges foule knaue I suffre the no longer.
1533		J. Heywood A Merry Play in Farmer Dramatic Writings (1905) 67: But, by Gog’s blood, were she come home [...] I would beat her. [Ibid.] 69: And, by Gog’s body, I tell you true, I shall beat her black and blue.
c.1550		R. Wever Lusty Juventus Dii: I will neuer eate meate that shall do me good Till I haue cut his flesh by gogs precious blood.
1550		Udall Ralph Roister Doister IV vii: If I were as ye be, by Gog’s dear mother!
1560		Nice Wanton Aiiii: By gogs bloud she is the best whore in England.
1568		U. Fulwell Like Will to Like 12: Gog’s heart and his guts, is not this too bad?
1569–70		T. Preston Cambyses B2: Gogs wounds kiss me my trull so white. [Ibid.] B3: Gog’s Nailes, Mistres Meretrix now he is gone. [...] Gog’s sides, knaves, seeing to fight ye be so rough.
1575		‘Mr S’ Gammer Gurton’s Needle in Whitworth (1997) I ii: Gog’s heart, I durst have laid my cap to a crown. [...] Gog’s Bones, this vilthy glay has dressed me too bad! [...] Gog’s soul, see how this stuff tears. [Ibid.] I iii: Gog’s bread, Hodge, thou had a good turn. [...] Gog’s sacrament, I would she had lost th’heart. [...] Gog’s wounds, Tib, my Gammer has never lost her nee’le? [Ibid.] I v: Gog’s cross, Gammer, if ye will laugh, look in but at the door. [...] Gog’s sides! Fie, It stinks!
1578		J. Whetstone Promos and Cassandra I V iv: Nay, gogs foote.
1591		Greene Notable Discovery of Coosnage in Grosart (1881–3) X 48: In bed, saith he, gogs nownes, ile go see.
1594		Greene Frier Bacon and Frier Bungay C3: Gogs wounds! Warren, kill him.
1595		‘W.S.’ Lamentable Tragedie of Locrine II ii: Will you stomacke seure you, by gogs blew hood and halidom, I will haue about with you.
1599		G. Peele Sir Clyomon and Sir Clamydes (1861) 502: Nay, Gog’s blood, I’ll be gone. [Ibid.] 528: Gog’s ounds, what am I, a dog or a man?
1602		J. Cooke How A Man May Choose A Good Wife From A Bad II iii: He that with greatest grace can swear Gog’s-zounds.
1607		Dobson’s Dry Bobs n.p.: Nay gogs heart, I will teach thee a tricke for that.
1616		Jonson Devil is an Ass I i: I will teach thee [...] To swear by Gogs-nowns, like a lusty Juventus.
1635		Long Meg of Westminster 6: If any stale Cutter comes in and thinks to pay the shot with swearing, hey! gogs wounds! [Ibid.] 20: By gogs blood you villain. [Ibid.] 42: He straight in a bravery swore gogs wounds whore, what a pot is this.
1648		J. Burroughs Gospel-worship 6: I will bring thee against my Land, that the Heathen may know me, when I shall be Sanctified in thee O Gog.
c.1810		‘The May Bush’ in A. Carpenter Verse in Eng. in 18C Ireland (1998) 342: Oh! Gog’s blood, says Bill Durham.
1821		W. Scott Kenilworth I 140: ‘Gogsnouns!’ replied the father.
1828		R.M. Bird City Looking Glass I i: Gogs! and I am a gentleman after a sort.
1833		W. Carleton Traits and Stories of Irish Peasantry I 270: By Gob, by Gog, by gad, by Gor, and by Gorra.
1838		‘Alfred Crowquill’ Seymour’s Humourous Sketches (1866) 27: By Gog, you’ll be all over presently — don’t lay your hand on my scull.
1835		Kerry Eve. Post 21 Mar. 4/2: ‘Oh gogs bug, boys! Sure Billy Magennis set up for a gintilman’.
1837		‘Darby the Swift’ Bentley’s Misc. June 544: Gog’s blud! [...] I was never taken for a turkey afore.
1959		I. & P. Opie Lore and Lang. of Schoolchildren (1977) 181: Cries of jubilation include: [...] By gog jolly custard!