Where did the saying What the Sam Hill was that come from?

Answer 1

The expression “Sam Hill” was born in early 19th century America. During that time, it was considered “vulgar” and “improper” to use profanity in civilized conversation. This included the word “hell”.

This expression was the result of altering the word “hell”, using “hill” instead to deem it proper to use in public. The use of the name “Sam” is believed to have been derived from Samiel, the devil in von Weber’s opera Der Freishuetz, first performed in New York City in 1825. Upon putting those two words together, listeners were able to quickly realize that the speaker was referring to hell.

Answer 2

Who Is Sam Hill

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Where did the saying What the Sam Hill was that come from?

Answer 4

This was asked one year ago


From "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997):

SAM HILL - "If someone could locate any historical record of a Col. Samuel Hill of Guilford, Connecticut, we might find the origin of the phrase 'go like Sam Hill' or 'run like Sam Hill.' Edwin V. Mitchell makes mention of the man in the 'Encyclopedia of American Politics (1946). It seems that Colonel Hill perpetually ran for office - but no other evidence of his existence can be found. Since no one knows 'who in the Sam Hill' he was, Sam Hill must remain 'a personified euphemism America's puritan ancestors used for 'hell.'"


From "Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins" by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977, 1988):

"Sam Hill is one of many euphemisms for 'hell' like 'blazes,' 'Halifax,' 'heck,' 'Hoboken' and many more. This one was very popular with frontiersmen, especially when they needed to clean up their language in the presence of ladies. Will James records the comment of a cowboy who felt he had been insulted by an Eastern dude: 'What the Sam Hill do you think we are out here, servants?' The first record appearance in print of 'Sam Hill' was in 1839. Elmer Roessner, an editor friend, reported that turn-of-the-century Seattle newspapers made regular use of this expression. Jim Hill, the legendary 'empire builder,' whose railroads, including the Great Northern, remained his last monument, was a man given to notable rages when anyone dared to oppose one of his grandiose schemes. So frequent were these tirades, according to Roessner, that the papers carried as a standing head: 'Jim Hill is as mad as Sam Hill.'"

In the rural US decades past "Sam Hill" would have been, as someone posted above "...one of many euphemisms for 'hell'..." and was to clean up the language. "Nice" boys and and almost all girls would have been admonished to not even use "Sam Hill".
1 year ago
Source(s):
"Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997)

Answer 5

Colonel Sam Hill ran for political office many times, but never succeeded. The term "run like Sam Hill" came from this. It became a term synonymous to "hell". "Give 'em Sam Hill" = "Give 'em hell."

Answer 6

'Sam Hill' is an American euphenism for the word 'hell' going back to 1839. yes sam hill is a real person,

Answer 7

it was a stupid guy called sam hill back in the 1800's, and when he died they kept his memory alive by saying what the sam hill was that everytime after something went wrong...

Answer 8

'Sam Hill' is an American euphenism for the word 'hell' going back to 1839.

Answer 9

Nobody knows. Or, too many people say they know for there to really be anyone who knows.

I don't normally use wiki here but there's already been numerous attempts at answers.

here, take a look:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Hill_(euphemism)

Answer 10

Sam Hell