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Definition 2024

Lord_willing_and_the_creek_don't_rise

Lord willing and the creek don't rise

English

Alternative forms

Variants substitute "God" or "Good Lord" (with or without "the") for "Lord", and substitute "crick" or "river" for "creek" based on the first proposed etymology (below), or capitalize it as "Creek" or "Creeks" based on confusion with the Creek Indian tribe.

Phrase

Lord willing and the creek don't rise

(idiomatic, US, informal) Barring unforeseen circumstances.
Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we'll have that new barn finished in time for the harvest.

Synonyms

(barring unforeseen circumstances): God willing, Lord willing

Translations

phrase

Finnish: jos luoja suo

References

Merriam Webster Word to the Wise (audio)

Etymology

Statements of the form "God / Lord willing and (some other condition being met)" are ancient extensions of simple acceptance of God's will in phrases like God willing and Lord willing. A well-known example of the latter is found in the Bible in James 4:15. In the King James version: "For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." New International Version: "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." "Creek" originated as a reference to creeks flooding and preventing travel.