lovanentyint.

Etymology: Probably originally a (probably euphemistic) alteration of Lord defend thee or a similar phrase, but perhaps influenced in form by association with Scots lockanties, perhaps itself an alteration of lack-a-day int. (see Sc. National Dict. at lockanties int.). A number of shortened forms of the interjection are also found (see Sc. National Dict. at lovanentie int.), perhaps showing some influence from the English regional (northern) interjections lauves-me, loavins, etc. (see Eng. Dial. Dict. at loave int.); longer forms in English regional (northern) use such as loavena-days or lofin-days may perhaps also have influenced the Scots exclamation.