Green’s Dictionary of Slang

circumstances.

1883		press cutting in J. Ware Passing Eng. of the Victorian Era (1909) 78/1: The Duke and Duchess of Teak patronized the performance of lolanthe at the Savoy Theatre on Monday last. Under the circs I am disposed to exclaim, ‘What extravagance!’.
1885		Bulletin (Sydney) 25 July 7/1: We don’t believe this story. The allegation that His Excellency produced whisky is, under the circs., absolutely incredible.
1894		Truth (Sydney) 14 Oct. 2/6: Most of those suffering from ‘circs’ now are comparatively young people.
1898		W. Pett Ridge Mord Em’ly 264: Miss Tambourine, or whatever your name is, we may meet again under ’appier circs.
1906		E. Dyson Fact’ry ’Ands 214: Acourse I parted me arf jim — couldn’t have ther brick face t’ do less under ther circs.
1910		‘Doss Chiderdoss’ ‘The Dear Loaf’ Sporting Times 29 Jan. 1/4: I’ll tell you all the circs.: / I’d brought home the ‘bees and honey’ which I’d gone to graft to seek.
1916		Sun. Times (Perth) 30 July 1s/2: Ne’er did I seem in such distressing circs.
1922		Joyce Ulysses 571: Most of all he commented adversely on the desertion of Stephen by all his pubhunting confrères, a most glaring piece of ratting on the part of his brother medicos under all the circs.
1926		Breton & Bevir Adventures of Mrs. May 57: I’d done ’er a favour a few days ago, lendin’ ’er my umbrella [...] which under the circs I didn’t want back.
1934		Wodehouse Right Ho, Jeeves 91: In these circs, conversation inevitably flagged a bit.
1949		Wodehouse Mating Season 81: In these circs everything should be hunky-dory.
1954		Wodehouse Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit 62: To which in ordinary circs I race, when invited, with a whoop and a holler.
1972		P. Fordham Inside the Und. 168: I can’t really wish you a happy Christmas in the circs.
1980		J. McClure Spike Island (1981) 280: And the bobby, looking at me a little strange, goes through all this, relates the circs.
1993		(con. 1945) S. McAughtry Touch and Go 59: Fair enough, in the circs.
2002		J. Ellroy ‘The D.A.’ in Destination: Morgue! (2004) 153: He tried special-circs murders.
2024		J. Meades Empty Wigs (t/s) 635: She was full of gossip and news. Civilised under the circs.