what the

English

Etymology

From various expressions such as what the hell by aposiopesis.

Interjection

what the … ?

1. (by ellipsis) Used to express astonishment or incredulity, as a question or questioning of the situation at hand, without requiring any specific vulgarity as intensifier.
   • 1940, as realization dawns that he is turning into a donkey, in Pinocchio (motion-picture), spoken by Lampwick (Frankie Darrow), Burbank: Disney; distributed by RKO Radio Pictures:

     Hee haw! Did that come out of me? Oh! Huh? What the …? What's going on? Ahhh!

Related terms

terms related to "what the … ?"

• what the fuck
• what the heck
• what the hell
• what the hey
• what the sam hill

Translations

expression of astonishment

• Cebuano: gibaliw
• French: c’est quoi ce délire ?!
• Navajo: mąʼiísh óolyé!

Anagrams

• thaweth