Land Sakes!

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Land sakes!" is an old-time exclamation of surprise or alarm. It’s a softened form of "for the Lord’s sake," common in rural America but especially remembered as a Southern saying.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #OldTimers #Southern #Exclamations

synonyms: good heavens, mercy me, goodness gracious, well I declare

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'd say 'Land sakes!' is one you mainly hear from old timers nowadays.

Pronunciation

[LAND sayks] /lænd seɪks/

Meaning & Usage

- Exclamation of surprise or alarm (interjection)

Clara:

They’re charging six dollars for a gallon of milk.

Elmer:

Land sakes! That’s highway robbery.

variations: land's sake, land sake alive

Origin

Derived from a softened oath for "the Lord’s sake," with the divine name avoided in polite or pious company. Documented in 19th-century American English, especially in rural and Southern dialect writing.

Notes

Land sakes! is remembered as an "old folks’" Southern expression, though it also appeared in other rural regions like New England.
Variations include "land’s sake" and "land sake alive."
Often used in the same contexts as Heavens to Betsy or My stars!.

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Common Questions

What does "Land sakes!" mean?

It’s an old-fashioned exclamation of surprise, alarm, or emphasis.

Is it only Southern?

No, it appeared in other rural dialects too, but it’s strongly remembered in Southern and Appalachian speech.

Do people still say it?

It’s rare today, but many remember it as something their grandparents or older relatives said.

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