Why do we say what in the hell instead of what hell?

Question

Hell is supposed to be a place. So why is it that instead of just saying "what hell" we always put a "the" infront of the word hell?

Answer 1

Well, wat in THE hell implies that there is one and only one real hell. It's not just any hell, it's THE hell. Like they're asking, "What is in THE hell?" Just like "What is in THE world?" It also sounds nicer and more proper. What hell is really asking, "which hell is it?" Also, it sounds choppy and uncomfortable in most people's mouths. Some people can practice it and get used to it, but most ppl dont have the time.

And bottom line is, it's really just a way to ensure that ppl understand that the hell they're talking about is the REAL hell, not just any unimportant hell. It's stupid, and it's a habit...we'll just have to deal w/ it. Personally, I prefer wtf instead of wth, but to each his or her own, I say.

Answer 2

Yes, in the most basic use "hell" refers to a specific place. But, like many words, it has extended uses, and in a number of these the place reference is no longer front-and-center.... perhaps not present at all! When people say "What the hell/heck..." they are NOT referring to the place (and certainly not asking about it).

It might help you to take a look at the wide variety of ways this word is used in idioms and informal language

For example, check out http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=hell (which includes some of the examples below)

Some observations:

When the word is used to name the place (esp. when capitalized), it appropriately lacks the article. But there are a number of extended uses of the word "hell" in which it functions as a 'common noun' or simply as an intensive. So, for instance, to say that "it was hell in there". Or in "all hell broke loose", the word is being used more losely to refer to chaos, not to denote the specific place.

So, for instance, "the hell" can be simply "an intensifier to express surprise, anger, impatience, etc." The specific reference to the proper name is lost. Similarly with "for the hell of it". "We ran like hell" is another example of an intensifying use in which the place name is not in view.

Then there are these sets of questions
a) "What/How/Where/Who/Why the. . .?!"
b) "What/How/ in. . . . ?"

Summary: Question word + "in"/"the" + expletive

Note that these are two SET formulations, and that many different words can be used as the expletive Not just "hell", but other expressions to denote that place ('blue blazes') and what that place is about ('tarnation' [minced oath for 'damnation']), the 'ruler' of the place (esp. 'the devil' or substitutes for him, such as 'the dickens'), and nowadays a variety of vulgarities (as in "wtf").

Now it is may well be that the 'original' form of the various expressions used the article as one would expect (perhaps things like "What the DEVIL" and "How in hell"). But then the formulas 'infected each other' and became interchangeable, esp. as one could subsitute various expletives. As a result, the idiomatic use of these expressions ignores the "proper grammar" (as idiomatic language often does).

In any case, the very fact that you can substitute a wide variety of words of different sorts in these expressions shows that those words are no longer being used to refer to their original meaning, but simply as intensifiers (usually negatively -- to express anger, surprise, etc).

Further examples of expressions in which the word functions as little more than an intensifier --so that rules about using the article don't apply -- "Hell yes!" and "The hell you will!" (alternately "Like hell you will!") These too are basically set formulas.. and other intensifiers --expletives or their substitutes-- might sometimes be use in the place of "hell".

Answer 3

I do not know.. I supppose it is something that was started and carried on.. I have said "what the hell" or I have even said "what in the hell".. I do not know why.. Most people(as I hear them) say "what the hell"

Answer 4

because we know their is a hell and heaven we so we don't question hell its self just whats in it..just like we say what in heavens name are you talking about..well we don't but some do they don't say what heaven??..that's my guess..if that is all we have to question in our lives i guess we are doing pretty well