- A common exclamation expressing confusion, bewilderment, surprise, annoyance, anger, or frustration.
- Used when something unexpected, illogical, inexplicable, or irritating occurs.
- WTH is the widely used internet/texting abbreviation.
Explanation
Origin
- An intensified version of What?.
- Hell has been used as an intensifier in English for centuries (e.g., run like hell, a hell of a time).
- The specific phrase What the hell? became common in the 20th century. It adds emotional weight (frustration, shock, anger) to the simple question What?.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- What gives?
- What's the deal? / What's the play?
- Seriously? / Are you kidding?
- The hell? (Shortened)
- Say what? (Expressing disbelief/confusion)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- What the fuck? (WTF) (Much stronger, more offensive)
- What the actual fuck? (WTAF) (Even stronger emphasis)
- What in the goddamn hell?
Milder:
- What the heck?
- What on earth?
- What in the world?
- What's this? / What was that?
- Huh? / Excuse me? / Pardon?
- Goodness me, what was that?
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal.
- The use of hell makes it mildly profane or vulgar for some people and contexts.
- Avoid in formal settings, professional writing, customer service, or around people who might be easily offended (e.g., devoutly religious individuals, children).
- What the heck? is a common, much milder alternative. What on earth? is also milder.
- WTH is standard in informal digital communication (texts, chats, social media).
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally understood as an exclamation of strong emotion (surprise, confusion, anger).
- Learners should gauge the level of vulgarity/informality; it's stronger than What? but much milder than What the fuck?.
Examples
- (Confusion) I followed the instructions exactly... What the hell went wrong?
- (Surprise/Shock) What the hell! Where did that car come from?
- (Anger/Annoyance) What the hell are you doing touching my stuff?
- (Frustration) I can't find my keys anywhere. What the hell?
Dialogue
Context
(Two people looking at a strange modern art sculpture)
Person A: What the hell is that supposed to be?
Person B: I have absolutely no idea. Art, I guess?
Person A: Right...
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: My phone battery went from 80% to 10% in an hour. WTH is going on?! #iPhone #batteryfail
- Facebook Status: Just saw a guy walking a ferret on a leash down Main Street. WTH? 😂
- Comment on weird video: WTH did I just watch??
- Text: Traffic is insane rn, wth
Response Patterns
- Depends entirely on the situation, tone, and who it's directed at.
- May prompt an explanation: Let me explain..., It's like this...
- May prompt a defensive reaction: What's it to you?, Mind your own business!
- May elicit shared confusion: I don't know either!, Beats me!
- May result in an apology: Sorry, I didn't mean to.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Often followed by a more specific question demanding explanation or clarification (What the hell is that noise?, What the hell happened here?, What the hell did you just say?).
- The speaker is usually reacting strongly and seeking understanding or expressing strong disapproval.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's always a reaction to something specific.
Intonation
- Highly variable depending on the emotion being expressed.
- Confusion/Surprise: Often with a rising intonation, stress on WHAT or HELL. WHAT the hell? or What the HELL?
- Anger/Frustration: Sharp, forceful, often louder tone, stress primarily on HELL. What the HELL do you think you're doing?!
Generation Differences
- Very common across most generations, especially younger and middle-aged groups in informal speech.
- The abbreviation WTH is ubiquitous online, used by various age groups active there.
Regional Variations
- Widely used and understood in all major English-speaking regions.