Why do people say "West by God Virginia"?

[sgluckadoo]

I have heard the phrase "West by God Virginia" my whole life. Generally it goes something like, "where are you from"?, "I am from West by God Virginia".

Just wondering about the origins of this particular saying and if others have heard it.

[dreamyxo]

I've never heard of the expression myself.  I've been to WVA several times. 

[cloudsoup]

lol, i've never heard this phrase either and i'm
from KY, right next to WV. do they say it as in
a truthful statement, or just being funny and they're
really not from there at all?

i can only guess that throwing by God
in there is just an interjection. people can throw by God
into any sentence to make it seem important. if you replaced
it with west dang virginia, the sound of it might make
a little more sense?

like fan-freaking-tastic.

[gaylasue]

I think it originated back in the Civil War days when West Virginia split from Virginia.  I personally don't like the idea of using God in a descriptive of WV.

[kqa]

I have never heard this phrase, but I just learned something new!

[nickit]

I have never heard of this saying.