What in Tarnation

The English word tarnation is a 18th-century expletive or mild curse that only survives in the idiom ‘what in tarnation.’ It was originally used as an adjective and adverb as a euphemism for damnation, hell, or, in modern times, damn. E.g., “That’s tarnation strange!”

Meaning of Idiom ‘What in Tarnation’

What in tarnation is an exclamation of surprise, disbelief, irritation, anger, or indignation. In this way, it can be used alone or as part of a longer phrase, e.g. ‘what in tarnation is she doing here?’

This expression, and other similar idioms like what in the world, is often used rhetorically for emphasis or simply to express any of the emotions listed above.

Sentence Examples

“What in tarnation have you been up to? You’re covered from head to toe in mud!”

“What in tarnation is the matter? I heard a bunch of yelling.”

“Why did you wake me up? What in tarnation do you want?”

“What in tarnation are you trying to do, kill yourself? You have to turn the power off first before you go monkeying around with stuff!”

“The first time I saw an armadillo I yelled ‘what in tarnation is that?’ It scared the heck out of me.”

“What in tarnation has got into Mr. Peters? He’s been going around kicking people’s doors and cursing at the top of his lungs.”

“What in tarnation? Don’t shoot the water! — Rango (2011)

“What in tarnation you tryin’ to do, you birdbrain?” —  Robin Hood (1973)

“What in tarnation is he all heated up about?” “I just told him we was all gonna quit unless we got paid!” — Bronco Billy (1980)

“Didn’t seem to do him much good, did they? That’s one reason I don’t believe in ’em!” “What in tarnation do ya believe in?” — Destry Rides Again (1939)

“What in confounded tarnation are you and that pigeon trying to do?”  — The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947)

“What in tarnation do you want?” “We’re here to arrest Leonard Vance. Where is he?” — The X Files: Miracle Man (1994)

Origin

What in tarnation is an American idiom that has been used since the latter part of the 1700s, although the word tarnation itself is rarely heard used outside the idiom.

The fossil word tarnation (late 1700s) originated as a euphemism for damnation or hell, and may have been an alteration of darnation, itself a replacement for damnation.

The substitution of tarnation for darnation may have been influenced by the word tarnal, a clipped form of ‘by the eternal God.’ 1Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of tarnation.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/tarnation. Accessed 25 September, 2024.

The Looney Tunes cartoon character Yosemite Sam is famous for using ‘what in tarnation’ as a catchphrase, leading many to associate this idiom with the American west, although it is older than the time period associated with the ‘wild west.’

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