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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.

See Examples For:

Old Nick Williams is opting to donate its cleaning products, along with Durham Distillery and others, to hospitality businesses.

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

What pushes her over the limit is a nasty episode with Old Nick, coupled with the realisation that Jack has reached an age at which he is a plausible ally in an escape.

From The Guardian Aug. 6, 2010

He glanced out of the window and up along the street, in case Old Nick might be coming along.

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

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