The term originated from Shakespeare'
s play "The Merry Wives of Windsor," in the 16th century. It is a term used in polite society to
mean the Devil! (It has nothing to do with Charles Dickens.) The word appeared in a sentence (although sounding odd in modern
day language) "I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my
husband had him of."
My mom used to say, with humor, that someone was "full of the dickens!"
Now after researching it, I understand what she meant!