English

Alternative forms

• shiver me timbers

Interjection

shiver my timbers!

1. Expressing surprise, disbelief or annoyance; mostly associated with pirates.
   • 1884, Robert Louis Stevenson - Treasure Island page 66

     Why, shiver my timbers, if I hadn't forgotten my score !" And, falling on a bench, he laughed until the tears ran down his cheeks.

   • 1799, Edward Dubois - A piece of family biography page 216

     Shiver my timbers! what do you think I found 'em at ? Split my wind if there was not a gang, with Mrs. Martha at the head, working away at the temple

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