Sam Hill

alternative Sam Hell

1. slangAn intensifier.

   Who the Sam Hill does he think he is?

   4 more examples

   What the Sam Hill do you think you're doing?

   Where in Sam Hill is that dog off to?

   Walter poured syrup on his vegetables and meat with a generous hand. He probably would have poured it into his milk glass had I not asked what the sam hill he was doing.

   1960 July 11, Harper Lee, chapter 3, in To Kill a Mockingbird, Philadelphia, Pa.; New York, N.Y.: J[oshua] B[allinger] Lippincott Company, →OCLC

   “Oh, what in the Sam Hill are you a-wearing? I thought I was supposed to be Twain.” “I say you are incorrect, sir. I believe we decided I would be Twain.” “Twin Twains? That dog won't hunt.” “Uh, Mr. Clemens?” “Mmhmm. That's me.” “No, I'm Twain. Switch costumes, you ignominious pretender.” “You're more stubborn than a senate mule.” “Grits, grits, grits!” “Tarnation!” “Fancy pants, big-city lawyer.” “I say you are incorrect, sir.”

   2023 September 21, Grace Parra Janney, “Something Borrowed, Something Green” (9:13 from the start), in Star Trek: Lower Decks, season 4, episode 4, spoken by Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid)

   Synonyms: the dickens