A substitute for the profane word damned, and generally called a Yankeeism. It is used, however, in England.
If e'er their jars they've made yu feel,
This gude adwise you'll call;
For sich warmin's gripe--or I'll be darned
'Twood soon make ye sing small.
Essex Dialect, Noakes and Styles.
"Buttermilk, by Jingo," exclaimed the disappointed pedagogue. Saint Jingo was the only saint, and a "darnation," or "darn you," were the only oaths, his puritan education ever allowed him to use.
Cooper, Satanstoe, Vol. I. p. 68.