- An exclamation expressing strong surprise, confusion, bewilderment, or sometimes annoyance.
- On earth acts as an intensifier, emphasizing the speaker's shock or inability to comprehend something.
Explanation
Origin
- Using on earth as an intensifier in questions (What/Why/How/Who on earth...?) has a long history in English, dating back potentially to the 16th or 17th century.
- It adds a strong emphasis, implying that something is so strange or unexpected that it challenges the norms of this world ('earth'). It's a way of asking What in the entire world is this?
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- What the heck? / What the hay? (Milder euphemisms)
- What gives?
- What's the deal?
- Say what? (Expresses confusion/disbelief)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- What the hell?
- What the fuck? / WTF? (Very common, very vulgar)
Milder:
- What in the world?
- Goodness me, what's that?
- My goodness!
- Heavens! What is this? (Dated)
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Generally acceptable in most situations unless extreme formality is required.
- It's less harsh than alternatives using hell or fuck, making it a relatively safe choice for expressing strong surprise.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally well-understood as an expression of strong surprise or confusion.
- The main risk is misjudging the level of formality; it's not suitable for very formal contexts.
Examples
- What on earth is that terrible smell?
- (Seeing a bizarre outfit) What on earth is she wearing?
- He quit his job with no notice? What on earth was he thinking?
- What on earth happened here? The room is a mess!
Dialogue
Anna: (Opens the fridge) What on earth...? There's a shoe in here!
Ben: A shoe? Seriously? Let me see! What on earth is it doing there?
Anna: I have absolutely no idea.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Just saw a squirrel riding a skateboard. What on earth? 😂 #Wildlife #CityLife
- Post: My phone just updated and now I can't find anything. What on earth did they do?! #TechFail #Confused
- Comment: What on earth is that recipe? Pickles and peanut butter??
Response Patterns
- Explanation: It's the garbage truck., That's the new fashion trend., I have no idea., It was the dog.
- Shared Confusion/Surprise: I know, isn't it weird?, Beats me., Your guess is as good as mine.
- Annoyance (if the tone was annoyed): Sorry, I'll clean it up.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Investigating the source of the surprise/confusion: Walking towards the smell, looking closer at the object.
- Asking clarifying questions: What is that thing?, Why did they do that?, Who made this mess?
- Expressing further opinion: That's disgusting!, That's ridiculous!
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Reaction to observing something strange or unexpected.
Intonation
- Exclamatory, often with a high or falling pitch expressing shock or confusion.
- Stress typically falls strongly on WHAT and EARTH. WHAT on EARTH?
- Can have a rising intonation if genuinely seeking an answer while still expressing surprise: What on EARTH is that?
Generation Differences
- Used across generations. Might be perceived as slightly more formal or less intense than What the heck/hell/fuck by younger speakers, but still very common.
Regional Variations
- Widely used and understood in all major English-speaking regions.