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Old Nick

American  

noun

Informal.
  1. the devil; Satan.


Old Nick British  

noun

  1. informal a jocular name for Satan

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Old Nick

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Zeb Williams, owner of Old Nick Williams, said it exemplifies the quality people in the local liquor business.

From Washington Times • Mar. 22, 2020

Their best answer to date is the other “goblin metal” closely associated with cobalt, nickel, whose name comes from a German spirit closely related to Old Nick.

From Economist • Mar. 22, 2018

His deputy called him diabolus bibliothecae, “the devil of the library”; others referred to him simply as Old Nick.

From The New Yorker • May 1, 2017

Old Nick, in his ministerially commissioned report last week, thinks only 10 or 12, at most, can make a go of two hours a day of – memorable phrase – "reasonably low-cost but high-quality broadcasting".

From The Guardian • Dec. 19, 2010

Old Nick took advantage of the opportunity to observe her more closely.

From Dry Fish and Wet Tales from a Norwegian Seaport by Nilsen, Anthon Bernhard Elias