in tarnation?



in tarnation?

Used as an intensifier after a question word (who, what, where, when, why, and how) to express extreme confusion, surprise, or aggravation. Primarily heard in US. And just how in tarnation am I supposed to have three reports done by 9 AM tomorrow? Where in tarnation did you find that rusty old car? Who in tarnation is making all that noise?

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
LennartLE-nahrt (Low German)Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Low German, Dutch
Ed[ed]
Tuor-Literature
Liudvikas-Lithuanian
CelandineSEL-ən-deenEnglish (Rare)
Acreman['eikəmən]