From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
what in tarnation?
- (idiomatic) Used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning a question.
- 2003. Judith Silverstein, Michael Lasky, "Online dating for dummies"
- What in Tarnation to Write I still remember the first girl I called up for a date at age 15.
- 2005. Charles Harrington Elster, "What in the word?", Page 35
- Other euphemisms of this type (and there are many) include what in tarnation for what in damnation and what the Sam Hill for what the damn hell.
- 2007. Diane Stanley. "The Mysterious Case of the Allbright Academy" Page 141.
- “What in tarnation do you think you're doing?”
- What in tarnation have you done with my wallet!?
