Tarnation is an 18th-century American expletive and mild minced oath used to express surprise, outrage, or annoyance. The word was originally used as an adjective and adverb as a euphemism for damnation, hell, and, in modern times, as a substitute for damn. Example: “That’s tarnation strange!”
Today, the word today survives almost exclusively in the idiom “what in tarnation.” For example: “What in tarnation is going on here?”
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.
Variations: “Where in Tarnation”, “Why in Tarnation”, and “Who in Tarnation”
While what in tarnation is the most common form, “tarnation” can replace “hell” or “the world” in almost any question phrase to add dramatic, humorous, or old-fashioned emphasis:
- Where in Tarnation: Replaces “where in the world” or “where the hell” (e.g., “Where in tarnation did I leave my glasses?”).
- Why in Tarnation: Replaces “why on earth” (e.g., “Why in tarnation would you do something so foolish?”).
- Who in Tarnation: Replaces “who on earth” (e.g., “Who in tarnation is making all that noise at 2:00 AM?”).
- All Over Tarnation: A colloquial regional phrase meaning “all over the place” or “everywhere.”
Origin and Etymology of “Tarnation”
The word tarnation first appeared in American English during the late 1700s (around 1784). It is what linguists call a minced oath, which is a mild, sanitized substitute for a profane or taboo word.
How the Word Was Formed
Linguists attribute the creation of tarnation to a blend of two distinct expressions:
- Darnation: A euphemistic alteration of the word damnation.
- Tarnal: An 18th-century regional clipping of “by the eternal God” (used as an intensive, e.g., “a tarnal shame”).
By blending the t- from “tarnal” onto “darnation,” 18th-century speakers coined tarnation. In early usage, it was also used as an adjective or adverb meaning “darned” or “extremely” (e.g., “That’s tarnation strange!”).
Is “Tarnation” a Bad Word?
No. While it originated as a replacement for “damnation” or “hell,” tarnation is completely harmless in modern English. Today, it is viewed as a comical, nostalgic, or rustic exclamation rather than actual profanity.
Origin of “What in Tarnation”
What in tarnation is an American idiom that has been used since the latter part of the 1700s. The word tarnation itself is rarely heard used outside the idiom.
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.’
Movie & TV Citations
- Rango (2011)
“What in tarnation? Don’t shoot the water!”
Townspeople in a drought-stricken desert community react with outrage and shock when someone accidentally discharges a firearm near their precious, limited water supply. - Robin Hood (1973)
“What in tarnation you tryin’ to do, you birdbrain?”
The Sheriff of Nottingham angrily berates Trigger the vulture guard after a bumbling mishap during an ambush. - Bronco Billy (1980)
“What in tarnation is he all heated up about?” “I just told him we was all gonna quit unless we got paid!”
A wild west show performer expresses surprise at the boss’s outburst after learning the troupe is threatening a strike over unpaid wages. - Destry Rides Again (1939)
“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?”
A cynical townsperson questions another’s complete lack of faith in medicine and law during a tavern argument. - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947)
“What in confounded tarnation are you and that pigeon trying to do?”
A character voices utter confusion and irritation at a chaotic, absurd situation involving a homing pigeon. - The X-Files (1994 – “Miracle Man”)
“What in tarnation do you want?” “We’re here to arrest Leonard Vance. Where is he?”
A local resident indignantly questions federal agents arriving unannounced at his door with a warrant.
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.”