Sam Hill

American

noun

Slang.

hell (used especially in WH-questions as a mild oath expressing exasperation and usually preceded by in orthe ).

Who in Sam Hill are you?

Etymology

Origin of Sam Hill

1830–40, Sam (originally salmon, variant of Sal(o)mon an oath) + hill, euphemism for hell

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight. I just have one question: What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?” she said, adding “I’m kidding, I love you MTV, this is amazing.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2025

But what in the Sam Hill is it?

From Slate • Feb. 14, 2024

But the memories have stayed and been recorded by the Museum of London, external-link alongside those of his friend and fellow 1960s ball boy Sam Hill.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2023

Attorney Sam Hill, who is representing Beth, rejected allegations in the lawsuit as false and said in a statement to multiple media outlets he would move to have the complaint thrown out.

From Washington Post • Oct. 16, 2021

“Just what the Sam Hill are you guys doing out here anyway?”

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023