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Old Scratch

American  

noun

Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.
  1. the devil; Satan.


Etymology

Origin of Old Scratch

First recorded in 1755–65

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.

Another very amusing scene finds Old Scratch at an open-mike, griping to us about the lame ways he has been depicted, or referred to, in modern media.

From Washington Post

In his latest picture Comedian Bill Cosby plays his baddest dude yet: Barney Satan, left-hand man to Old Scratch himself.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Old Scratch" is a flexible steel cable, strung with hundreds of steel washers, lubricated by a reservoir of oil-insecticide.

From Time Magazine Archive

The cow just rubs against Old Scratch, is automatically smeared with bug-killer, made happier, puts on weight faster as a result.

From Time Magazine Archive

He's full of the Old Scratch, but laws-a-me! he's my own dead sister's boy, poor thing, and I ain't got the heart to lash him, somehow.

From The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Part 1. by Twain, Mark

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