piper, n.⁴ — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

piper n.⁴

what the piper?

(US) a phr. used to express surprise or irritation.

1900

S. Crane ‘Santiago’ in Mason Fighting American (1945) 397: What th’ piper do you know about th’ Spaniards, you fat-headed Dutchman.

by the piper (that played before Moses)! (also by the piper that shook the Giant’s Causeway!)

a mild excl.

1821		‘A Real Paddy’ Real Life in Ireland 41: By the piper that plays before Moses, I had nearly forgot! [Ibid.] 245: By the piper that shook the Giant’s Causeway, I am so glad to see you.
1829		Exeter & Plymouth Gaz. 5 Sept. 4/2: ‘By the piper that played afore Moses,’ says he, ’ye’ll not go out ov my house till dhrink my health’.
1834		Marryat Peter Simple (1911) 285: And, by the piper that played before Moses! it was a big one that he ordered the master to put him alongside of.
1841		W.J. Neale Paul Periwinkle 95: Oh! by the piper that played before Moses, I never was so insulted in my life!
1858		‘A. Pendragon’ Queen of the South 93: By the piper that played before Moses, you’ve got the soul of an O’Rourke in your quare-looking carcase.
1861		Bell’s Life in Sydney 4 May 3/4: By the piper but juvenile prigs subjected to the homeopathic treatment at tho W.P.O do not come off quite so easily as ‘genteel juvenile pickpockets’ at the C.P.O.
1866		Wild Boys of London I 245/2: Shut up, or by the piper that played afornint Moses, I’ll—.
1873		W.H. Thomes Bushrangers 411: ‘By the piper, but there would be some fun in that!’ returned the commissioner.
1890		H. Nisbet ‘Bail Up!’ 212: And, by the piper that played before Moses, so they did.
1898		A.J. Boyd Shellback 54: ‘By the piper!’ he said. ‘This beats me.’.
1908		C. Tomalin Venturesome Tom 55: By the piper that played Moses it’s dhrowned I am.