Old Nick
Americannoun
noun
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.
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
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 begged and prayed so prettily to be let go, but Grumblegizzard was hard of hearing on that side till he gave his word never to come there again, and make a noise.
From Tales from the Fjeld A Second Series of Popular Tales by Asbj?rnsen, P. Chr.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
