Well, I Swan!

The Oxford English Dictionary has "swan" as a verb, labeled U.S. slang, derived probably (it says) from northern England dialectal "Is' wan," literally "I shall warrant" = I'll be bound; later taken as a mincing substitute for "swear." The first use in print recorded in the dictionary is from the year 1823.

Both *swan* and *swanny* mean 'to swear' or 'to declare', and are used only in exclamations in the first person singular. Both are Americanisms; *swan* is first recorded in the late eighteenth century, *swanny* in the early nineteenth.

Or, you could just get real literal and see that it means, I swan. As in, I swan, you swan, we all do the swan swoon. Or not. But I do. And that's just ducky.

Papa Keeps Watch

Yes! I'm a swan! and you are a duck. Just a duck, you hear me?

All right, children, today you are going to learn the fine art of preening.

Get your head completely wet!

I'm impressed, Mrs. Swan!

Now, back on land, fluff, fluff, fluff. 

 This duck had me laughing a lot. It came down the waterway, honking on a steady beat, like it was the marine patrol.

Then, back came a flock of them, with him at the rear, honking all the way.

Time to mix it up, now that everyone is looking their best.

Darling! I'm so glad you decided to join us!

Seaweed is a fine appetizer

and worth stretching for

Time to move along toward bed nests

And the same is true for me. Well, the time to move along part. Just a reminder due to something a little birdie whispered ~ I do sell my photos, so if you are interested, let me know, rather than helping yourself. Otherwise I have  to watermark them and I find that a less than appealing idea. Thanks!!

Have a tell it to the teacher Tuesday!  Do something truthfully.