where does the term "how the devil are you" derive?

Answer 1

(A partial history of profanity)

1) probably this simple form is shortened from questions like "how the *** are you going to do . . . ?"
These are related to other questions that include the same sort of expression, such as "What the * * * are you doing. . .?"

2) The expression (the "***" I've been using) was originally added to these basic questions as a way of 'strengthening' them, that is expressing strong emotion, especially negative emotion such as anger, shock or disgust.

3) The specific word used in the addd expression may vary greatly. Originally it would be a "taboo word" -- especially a "swear word"

Earlier forms of the question would use stronger words, such as "the hell" or "in hell". Then substitutes -- weaker forms with the same basid meaning or even distorted forms of the original words-- would be used to "avoid swearing". Terms like "in/the (blue) blazes" or "the devil" would be first, then things like "in/the heck", "(the) deuce" and "(the) dickens" (used mainly because they have the same first letter as 'hell' and 'devil'). . . also "in tarnation" (distortion of "damnation").

4) There is an opposite set of these 'strong words' that might also be used -- such as "God" or "in God's name" or, in place of that "in heaven/in heaven's name". Note that both of these are solemn and "sacred" terms that are not considered wrong to use in themselves, but which one was not to MIS-use.

Technically, we could distinguish between two groups of words
a) "swear words" --used to take an oath -- such as "[I swear] in God's name"
b) "curse words" -- used IN a curse, to call down judgment on one's self (as when TAKING an oath) or others

But in practice these can sometimes become interchangeable when used colloquially to express strong feeling and such.

Note that one might ask a whole range of questions with these --- "What/Why/How.... in God's name. . . ?"

5) Probably the LATEST variations on all these are those using VULGAR terms (like the s*** or f***), which more recently have been considered "swear words" (These are also called "profanity". The whole idea is that to use them --at least in certain contexts-- is to dishonor, treat lightly or as "profane" [common, 'vulgar'] things that are supposed to be honored as sacred.)

6) "hell"/"devil" and the like also came to be used (perhaps through the uses suggested above --to intensify) as ways of speaking of something extraordinarily difficult (even impossible) or at least surprising. That notion may be paired with anger/outrage, disgust, etc., but may also stand on its own. Thus "how the devil/hell am I ever supposed to do that?!" might be directed AGAINST someone else (perhaps the one making the unreasonable demand), or be a more general expression of chagrin...

Thus 'how the devil can I. . .?" may be used as a rhetorical question, with the implied answer, "You can't. It's impossible."

7) At any rate, over time, all of these can weaken considerably so that questions like "how the devil did you...?" and especially one like "how the devil are you?" are, at best, using the term to slightly intensify the question --or especially to express SURPRISE... -- but not necessarily to express anger, contempt, etc.

Answer 2

The book 'the Decameron' has this very same quote "how the devil are you".

Answer 3

from devils neighbor

Answer 4

I assume it's a more polite way of asking How The Hell Are You?

Answer 5

isnt it suppose to be ;who the devil are you;

Answer 6

well i don't know, but damm , how the F*ck are you doing?

Answer 7

black sheep