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
EnkiEN-keeNear Eastern Mythology
PÉTerPAY-terHungarian
Ilie-Romanian
AdeleAH-de-lə (German), ə-DEL (English), AH-de-le (Finnish)German, English, Italian, Finnish
Dominiquedo-mee-NEEKFrench
Zenovia-Greek