Etymology Journal · G
Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise
Meaning
- A conditional statement meaning that something will happen provided there are no unforeseen obstacles or disasters. It reflects a humble recognition that life is often out of our control.
Humble, cautious
Used in a sentence
- I will be there by noon, good Lord willing and the creek don't rise.
- We are planning to harvest the corn next week, good Lord willing and the creek don't rise.
- Are you going to be finished by Friday? Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise.
The backstory
The phrase is often mistakenly attributed to a politician or a specific historical event involving a creek. In reality, it is a generic folksy acknowledgment of the power of nature and providence, dating back to the 1800s.
Heard in
The South
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