intj

tarnation

tahr-NAY-shuhn

intj

(old-fashioned, informal) Used to express anger, annoyance, or surprise, as a mild substitute for a stronger curse.

"What in tarnation is going on out here?"

"Tarnation, that dog has dug up my entire garden."

How to Use Tarnation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old-fashioned, folksy exclamation of shock or annoyance, like a mild version of "damnation."

When to use it

Sounds dated or exaggeratedly rural/American — mostly used now for comic effect.

Common pairings

what in tarnation

more tarnation comparative, more tarnation comparative, tarnations plural, most tarnation superlative, most tarnation superlative

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What in _____ is going on out here?

A blend of "darnation" and "tarnal" (itself from "eternal"), used as a softened alternative to "damnation."

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