Old Scratch
Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
- proper noun The Devil.
Examples
-
If I hadn't a renounced the devil and all his works that time, I don't know what the upshot would have been, for Old Scratch was there too.
-
That Old Scratch was Nelson's father was noteworthy enough.
-
It's a country full of old stories, folklore, and traditions; and the people still believe in the Old Scratch pretty literally.
-
If 'twan't wicked I'd say that name was give you by the Old Scratch himself, as a sort of divilish joke.
Note
'Old Scratch' is chiefly a Southern American expression, and is probably an alteration of the Middle English 'scrat,' (goblin), which comes from the Old Norse 'skratte,' (wizard, goblin).
