Sam Hill

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Sam Hill

Alternative forms

Sam Hell

Etymology

Its exact etymology is uncertain, and various theories link it to actual individuals such as the surveyor of Michigan Samuel W. Hill, known for his foul language, or the Adjutant General of Kentucky Samuel Ewing Hill during the Hatfield-McCoy feud. Probably intended as a substitute for hell or, more fully, for damned hell.

Pronunciation

Audio (General Australian): (file)

Noun

Sam Hill

(slang) An intensifier.
What the Sam Hill do you think you're doing?

Who the Sam Hill does he think he is?

Where in Sam Hill is that dog off to?
- 1960 July 11, Harper Lee, chapter 3, in To Kill a Mockingbird, Philadelphia, Pa.; New York, N.Y.: J[oshua] B[allinger] Lippincott Company, →OCLC:
  Walter poured syrup on his vegetables and meat with a generous hand. He probably would have poured it into his milk glass had I not asked what the sam hill he was doing.
- 2023 September 21, Grace Parra Janney, “Something Borrowed, Something Green” (9:13 from the start), in Star Trek: Lower Decks‎, season 4, episode 4, spoken by Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid):
  “Oh, what in the Sam Hill are you a-wearing? I thought I was supposed to be Twain.” “I say you are incorrect, sir. I believe we decided I would be Twain.” “Twin Twains? That dog won't hunt.” “Uh, Mr. Clemens?” “Mmhmm. That's me.” “No, I'm Twain. Switch costumes, you ignominious pretender.” “You're more stubborn than a senate mule.” “Grits, grits, grits!” “Tarnation!” “Fancy pants, big-city lawyer.” “I say you are incorrect, sir.”

Synonyms

See Thesaurus:the dickens

Anagrams

Hamills, millahs