Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(mainly UK juv.) a euph. for Christ! excl.; prob. the mildest of such euphs.

1866		Wild Boys of London I 134/1: ‘Crums!’ he said, at last; ‘you’ve nearly twisted it out!’.
1890		Sporting Times 11 Jan. 4/4: The only oath we ever heard him swear was ‘Oh, crumbs!’.
1896		Pink & LeBrunn [perf. Marie Lloyd] Chance Your Luck 🎵 And an old pal says, ‘Hallo! isn’t that Miss So-and-so? / Oh crumbs! what's that she’s painted with?’.
1898		H. Macilwaine Dinkinbar 33: And, by Crumbs, I’m nearer town this minute than suits me.
1900		Marvel 12 Nov. 7: Oh, crumbs! isn’t it a pretty sight?
1911		E.J. Brady Tom Pagdin Pirate 22: ‘My crumbs,’ he added, presently, ‘this shirt comes all over me’.
1914		Leigh & Lyle [perf. Vesta Tilley] The army of today’s all right 🎵 He simply swore / Oh crumbs! the language!
1934		E. Raymond Child of Norman’s End (1967) 357: ‘Crums!’ she exclaimed.
1942		Whizzbang Comics 58: Crumbs! What was it?
c.1943		S .J. Baker Aus. Vulgarisms [t/s] 6: Christ: cripes, crikey, christawmitey, by kri', crumbs, crummy, crummies, christopher, by Christchurch, by Christmas.
1958		A. Buckeridge Jennings’ Little Hut 65: Oh, gosh! ... Oh, crumbs! ...
1961		‘Frank Richards’ Billy Bunter at Butlins 19: Oh, crumbs! I – I mean no, sir.
1972		‘Hergé’ Tintin and the Land of Black Gold 27: Crumbs!
1980		J. McClure Spike Island (1981) 450: I was thinking, Oh, crumbs, what have I done now?
1991		Desperate Dan Special No. 7 32: Crumbs! What is Aunt Aggie doing?
2000		Guardian G2 15 May 15: I thought, oh crumbs, I’m not trying to escape a boring life, I love my life!