dickens

[dik-inz] /ˈdɪk ɪnz/
noun
1.
devil; deuce (usually preceded by the and often used in exclamations and as a mild imprecation):
The dickens you say! What the dickens does he want?
Origin
1590-1600; apparently a fanciful use of Dicken, form of Dick, proper name

Dickens

[dik-inz] /ˈdɪk ɪnz/
noun
1.
Charles (John Huf·fam)
[huhf-uh m] /ˈhʌf əm/ (Show IPA), ("Boz") 1812–70, English novelist.
Related forms
Dickensian
[dih-ken-zee-uh n] /dɪˈkɛn zi ən/ (Show IPA), adjective
British Dictionary definitions for dickens

dickens

/ˈdɪkɪnz/
noun
1.
(informal) a euphemistic word for devil what the dickens?
Word Origin
C16: from the name Dickens

Dickens

/ˈdɪkɪnz/
noun
1.
Charles (John Huffam), pen name Boz. 1812–70, English novelist, famous for the humour and sympathy of his characterization and his criticism of social injustice. His major works include The Pickwick Papers (1837), Oliver Twist (1839), Nicholas Nickleby (1839), Old Curiosity Shop (1840–41), Martin Chuzzlewit (1844), David Copperfield (1850), Bleak House (1853), Little Dorrit (1857), and Great Expectations (1861)
Word Origin and History for dickens

exclamation, 1590s, apparently a substitute for devil; probably altered from Dickon, nickname for Richard and source of the surnames Dickens and Dickenson, but exact derivation and meaning are unknown.

Slang definitions & phrases for dickens

dickens

noun

The devil; a devilish person: felt like the dickens/ let the dickens out on Halloween