by guess or by gosh: Idiom Meaning and Origin

By guess or by gosh is an idiomatic expression with unknown origins. Some believe it originated in the United States during the late 19th or early 20th century, while others think it may have its roots in the British Isles.

The meaning of by guess or by gosh is to do something in an uncertain or haphazard manner, relying on guesswork or luck instead of careful planning or knowledge. It is often used to describe a situation where there is no clear method of achieving a desired outcome, and one must rely on their intuition or chance to reach their goal.

Despite the lack of certain facts about the origin of this idiom, it has been in use for many years and has become a part of the English language. It is primarily used in informal and conversational contexts, making it a common expression in everyday speech.

One possible theory suggests that by guess or by gosh may have derived from the phrase "by guesswork or by gosh," with gosh being a euphemism for the word "God." This theory implies that the phrase originally implied relying on guesswork or luck with the intervention or blessings of God. With time, the phrase may have evolved into its current form of "by guess or by gosh."

Another theory proposes that the idiom may have derived from an earlier expression used in the British Isles, such as "by gow, guess, or gosh." The word "gow" has various meanings and could be interpreted as "God" or "good." This theory speculates that the phrase may have been brought to the United States by British immigrants and eventually evolved into its current form.

However, it is important to note that these theories are speculative, and there is no definitive evidence to support or confirm any single origin of the idiom by guess or by gosh.

In addition to its uncertain origins, by guess or by gosh is related to two other idioms: "hazard a guess" and "shot in the dark."

"Hazard a guess" is a phrase that means to make a guess or estimation, often in a situation where there is limited information or uncertainty. It reflects the idea of taking a chance or a risk by relying on one's intuition or incomplete knowledge. This concept aligns with the meaning of by guess or by gosh, as both idioms suggest relying on guesswork or chance rather than certainty or careful planning.

"Shot in the dark" is another idiom that shares a similar concept with by guess or by gosh. It refers to taking a guess or making an attempt without any real knowledge or certainty. It implies a situation where one is blindly trying to achieve a desired outcome, similar to by guess or by gosh, where the reliance is on guesswork or luck instead of an established method.

By guess or by gosh is an idiomatic expression with uncertain origins. Despite various theories, no concrete facts exist to confirm its etymology. Nevertheless, it remains a well-known phrase used to describe a situation where guesswork or luck is relied upon rather than careful planning or knowledge. The allure of this idiom lies in its ambiguity, leaving room for interpretation and speculation. As with many idioms, the true origins of by guess or by gosh may forever remain a mystery.