What is the origin of the expression "What in the Sam Hill"?
Student or Learner
Results 1 to 4 of 4
Thread: Sam Hill
Hybrid View
-
Newbie
- Join Date: Oct 2020
- Posts: 1
#1 25-Oct-2020, 22:27Sam Hill
-
Moderator
Retired English Teacher
- Join Date: Jan 2011
- Posts: 5,143
#2 25-Oct-2020, 22:37Re: Sam Hill
Have you tried googling it? There are a few theories but nobody knows for certain.
-
VIP Member
Other
- Join Date: Jan 2009
- Posts: 8,048
#3 25-Oct-2020, 23:27Re: Sam Hill
I've always assumed it was just a euphemism for What in hell?
But I'm not going to look it up.
It's like an expression my mom grew up with: Cheese and crackers got all muddy.Last edited by Charlie Bernstein; 26-Oct-2020 at 03:35. Reason: Fix a typo.
I'm not a teacher. I speak American English. I've tutored writing at the University of Southern Maine and have done a good deal of copy editing and writing, occasionally for publication.
-
Moderator
Retired English Teacher
- Join Date: Jan 2011
- Posts: 5,143
#4 26-Oct-2020, 00:14Re: Sam Hill
That's a totally new one to me. When my grandmother wanted to mock someone for being stupid she'd say she was going to get them a pair of know-nothings to hang on their sleeve.
Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein
Reply With Quote