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”); see damnation ( def. )

Example Sentences

Tarnation odd too!” he added, looking toward the troop; “twelve agin three o’ us.

From The War Trail The Hunt of the Wild Horse by Reid, Mayne

Tarnation seize it!" cried Asa, "I can't see.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 54, No. 334, August 1843 by Various

Tarnation to me if I wouldn’t do all they do at a third of the price.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 56, Number 347, September, 1844 by Various

"Tarnation darksome," growl'd old Spense,   Arf liftin' up the cover— He turn'd the pan ov cream quite spry   On Deely's Agent lover.

From Old Spookses' Pass, Malcolm's Katie, and other poems by Crawford, Isabella Valancy