Dratted

/ˈdrætəd/ adjective, verb

Definition

Damned or cursed (mild exclamation); adjective form expressing annoyance at something; or past tense of 'drat.'

Etymology

From 'drat' + past tense suffix '-ed.' 'Drat' itself is likely a euphemistic corruption of 'damn' or possibly 'darned,' creating a chain of increasingly mild substitutes.

Kelly Says

'Dratted' appears constantly in British children's literature and Roald Dahl books because it let authors express frustration in words kids could read without parents objecting—it's a perfectly calibrated social curse word.

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