the dear knows

Etymology
Unclear. Bliss and Dolan suggest a conflation of, as in "oh dear" or "the Dear Lord", and , by analogy with the conflation in Irish of "God" and  "deer".

Phrase

 * 1)  God knows; nobody knows
 * 2) * 1806 'Caleb Thistle' "How are the mighty fallen!" in The Evening Fire-side; or Literary Miscellany (Philadelphia; 10 May 1806) Vol.II No.19 p.147:
 * O thou, whom poets call Melpomene,
 * Who hast inspir'd, the dear knows how many
 * In ancient times to sing O Dear O's
 * On hapless fates of unknown heroes,
 * 1) * 19th century Anonymous Irish or Scottish ballad, I Know Where I’m Going:
 * I know where I’m going,
 * I know who’s going with me,
 * I know who I love,
 * But the dear knows who I’ll marry.
 * 1)  God knows; of course, certainly, nobody could doubt
 * 1)  God knows; of course, certainly, nobody could doubt