the measles

phrase

Used after interrogative pronouns as an intensifier to express anger, frustration, incredulity, or other strong emotion.

“What the measles do you think you're doing?”

Similar
the dickens
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Meanings

phrase
  1. alternativeAlternative form of measles.

    Synonyms: the dickens

  2. euphemisticobsoleteUsed after interrogative pronouns as an intensifier to express anger, frustration, incredulity, or other strong emotion.

    What the measles do you think you're doing?

    1 more example

    Why the meazills, should you stand heere, with your traine...

    1614 November 10 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), Beniamin Iohnson [i.e., Ben Jonson], Bartholmew Fayre: A Comedie, […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Robert Allot, […], published 1631, →OCLC, (please specify the page)

Synonyms & antonyms

phraseAlternative form of measles.

Similar
the dickens

Origin

See measles.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

the measles. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/the%20measles

MLA

“the measles.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/the%20measles. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “the measles,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/the%20measles.

Source: the measles on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.