tarnation

American  

[tahr-ney-shuhn] / tɑrˈneɪ ʃən /

interjection

1. damnation.

   Tarnation! Burned the fatback again.

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noun

1. damnation; hell (used as a euphemism).

   Where in tarnation is that boy?

adverb

1. damned.

   What's making you so tarnation miserable?

tarnation British  

/ tɑːˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. a euphemism for damnation

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Etymology

Origin of tarnation

First recorded in 1775–85; blend of ’tarnal, dialectal pronunciation of eternal, and darnation ( def. ) (“hell”); damnation ( def. )

Example Sentences

“Heck and tarnation is right,” I said, trying hard to sound like I was sharing Aunt Kitty’s frustration.

From Literature

Right now you’re all probably asking yourselves the same question: Who in tarnation is Adam Gelb, and what’s he doin’ in my Surge?

From Slate

“We need tolerance,” he was quoted as saying, “but good tarnation, there’s such a thing as taking it too far.”

From Washington Post

“And you wonder why in tarnation I’m going on about this to you,” he said.

From Literature

People named Pretty, Vangie, Beulah, Chilly Willie and Maple who wear blue suede shoes and go to bars called Cadillac Flats and Seashell’s and make declarations like “tarnation,” who work at feed stores and buy things at the Dollar Disco.

From Los Angeles Times