so help me God

Alternative forms

• so help me

Etymology

The phrase implies that the speaker is willing to risk their chance of salvation upon their truthfulness.

Phrase

so help me God

1. Used as an oath, a promise that an action will be carried out
   • 1819, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe:

     I waited — not to share the booty, for, so help me God and Saint Withold! as neither I nor any of mine will touch the value of a liard, — I waited but to render my thanks to thee and to thy bold yeomen, for the life and honour ye have saved.

   • 1951 translation by Nevill Coghill of: 13?? Geoffrey Chaucer: Canterbury Tales: The Wife of Bath's Prologue:

     He came up close and kneeling gently down

     He said, "My love, my dearest Alison,

     So help me God, I never again will hit

     You, love; and if I did, you asked for it.

   • 2008, James Slater, Like Phosphorescent Desert Buttons, page 98:

     “You try it Mister, and so help me God I will make sure you spend the rest of your non-adult life bouncing off the mattressy walls of a psych ward.”