What in tarnation Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈhwət/, /ˈwət/ /ˈɪn/, /ɪn/ /tɑɹˈneɪʃən

WUHT in tar-NAY-shuhn

UK

wˈɒt/ /ˈɪn/ /tɑːnˈeɪʃən

WOT in tar-NAY-shuhn

Definition

An old-fashioned and humorous way to show surprise, confusion, or disbelief, similar to saying 'what on earth' or 'what the heck.'

Usage & Nuances

Very informal, mostly used for humorous or exaggerated effect and often associated with American Southern or rural speech. Used mainly to express surprise or confusion, rarely in serious contexts. Not common in modern speech but often found in movies, cartoons, or playful conversation.

• Spanish: ¡pero qué demonios! - ¡qué rayos!
• Portuguese (BR): mas que diabos! - mas o que é isso!
• Portuguese (PT): mas que raio! - mas que diabo é isto!
• Chinese (Simplified): 这究竟是怎么回事！ - 你搞什么鬼！
• Chinese (Traditional): 這究竟是怎麼回事！ - 你搞什麼鬼！
• Hindi: ये क्या बकवास है! - ये क्या मुसीबत है!
• Arabic: ما هذا بحق الجحيم! - ما الذي يحدث هنا!
• Bengali: এটা আবার কী (হাস্যকরভাবে ব্যবহৃত)
• Russian: что за чертовщина - что за черт
• Japanese: いったい全体 - なんてこった
• Vietnamese: cái quái gì vậy - trời đất ơi
• Korean: 대체 뭐야 - 세상에
• Turkish: bu da ne böyle - Allah Allah
• Urdu: یہ کیا ماجرا ہے - یا اللہ یہ کیا
• Indonesian: apa-apaan ini - astaga

Example Sentences

What in tarnation is that noise outside?

basic

What in tarnation are you wearing?

basic

What in tarnation happened to my phone?

basic

What in tarnation did you do to this cake?

natural

What in tarnation is going on in here?

natural

You scared me! What in tarnation were you thinking?

natural