marry come up

alternative marry guep · alternative marry gep · alternative marry quep

1. archaicAn expression of contempt.

   I thought th' hadst scorn'd to budge a step / For fear. (Quoth Eccho) Marry guep.

   1662 (indicated as 1663), [Samuel Butler], “[The First Part of Hudibras]. Canto III.”, in Hudibras. The First and Second Parts. […], London: […] John Martyn and Henry Herringman, […], published 1678, →OCLC; republished in A[lfred] R[ayney] Waller, editor, Hudibras: Written in the Time of the Late Wars, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: University Press, 1905, →OCLC, page 64

   5 more examples

   O Gods Lady deare, / Are you ſo hot? marrie come vp I trow, / Is this the Poultis for my aking bones?

   c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene v], page 63, column 2

   "Marry-come-up," cries Slipſlop, "People's Ears are ſometimes the niceſt Part about them."

   1742, Henry Fielding, “What Passed between the Lady and Mrs. Slipslop, […]”, in The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews, and of His Friend Mr. Abraham Adams. […], volume I, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book I, page 47

   Marry gep, if it had not been for me, thou hadſt been yet but a hearing Counſel at the Bar.

   1676 December 11 (first performance), [William] Wycherley, The Plain-Dealer. A Comedy. […], London: […] T[homas] N[ewcomb] for James Magnes and Rich[ard] Bentley […], published 1677, →OCLC, Act III, page 42

   Marry, come up, indeed; tie it yourſelf, you have as many Hands as I; your Man's Man will have a fine Office truly: Come, pray, ſtand out of my ſpitting Place.

   1731 (date written), Simon Wagstaff [pseudonym; Jonathan Swift], “Dialogue I”, in A Complete Collection of Genteel and Ingenious Conversation, […], London: […] B[enjamin] Motte […], published 1738, →OCLC, page 39

   Marry come up with ſuch gentlemen! though he hath lived here theſe many Years, I don't believe there is arrow servant in the house ever ſaw the Colour of his Money.

   1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume II, London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book V, page 180