Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Irish) a euph. oath.

1829		Exeter & Plymouth Gaz. 5 Sept. 4/2: ‘Oh,’ says he, my masther is the Prince Ragin’. ‘Blur an’ ouns,’ says I.
1832		S. Lover Legends and Stories 157: ‘Tare and ouns!’ says I.
1842		S. Lover Handy Andy 31: ‘Tare an’ ouns!’ roared Murphy.
1842		Thackeray Catherine (1905) 589: Taranouns, man!
1844		Leeds Times 22 June 6/1: Thunder-an-ouns how this sheep’s nose does bleed [...] Oh! tare-an-ounkers! boys.
1848		D.O. Madden Revelations of Ireland 116: O, tare and ouns! Oh, holy Biddy!
1849		A. Harris Emigrant Family I 190: Blood an’ tar an’ ouns, mate!
1854		Hereford Jrnl 19 Apr. 4/2: Blur-an-ouns, then, I suppose I may drink all your good healths, gentlemen.
1854		Delhi Sketch Bk 1 June 62/1: Tear’ an ouns, Punch me jewel. / Now isn’t it cruel?
1856		Huddersfield Chron. 2 Aug. 3/3: ‘Tare an ouns,’ says I, ‘do you tell me so?’.
1857		Bell’s Life in Victoria (Melbourne) 21 Mar. 3/2: As for the whelters, tare ’n ouns.
1859		Leicester Jrnl 15 July 8/5: Thunder an’ ounds! but they’ve cotched it!
1876		G. Lander Little Gerty III ii: Tare-an-ouns! Thin how are we to get along?
1879		C.J. Kickham Knocknagow 308: Blur-an’-ouns, Poll, tell me where he is an’ let me go.
1882		‘Mark Twain’ ‘Among the Fenians’ in Celebrated Jumping Frog and Sketches 45: ‘Tare an’ ouns!’ said I.
1893		Huddersfield Chron. 8 June 4/4: Thunder an’ ouns but ye startle me!
1899		Hants Advertiser 25 Jan. 3/3: Tare an’ ouns! Pat, but he’s an Oirishman.
c.1905		J. Furphy Buln-Buln and the Brolga (1948) 🌐 Flatther! Tare-an-ouns! Flatther!
1907		G. Fitzmaurice ‘The Streel’ in Irish Weekly Indep. 2 Mar. (1970) 130: Tare-an-ounds, Maura, what are you standing for.
1922		‘Pink Ox’ TCD, A College Misc. 15 June n.p.: ‘Oh, tare-an-ouns,’ ses she. ‘Oh, be the hokey, the disgrace! / An honest woman called parrylellygrum to her face’ [BS].
1942		Cork Examiner 21 jan. 4/4: ‘Tare an’ ouns!’ roarded Murphy; ‘how Andy runs!’.