tarnation

== English == === Etymology === From darnation, influenced by tarnal (from eternal); see darn. === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /tɑɹˈneɪʃən/ Rhymes: -eɪʃən === Noun === tarnation (countable and uncountable, plural tarnations) (regional or archaic) The act or process of damnation or reprobation; hell. (obsolete) Someone or something that causes trouble; troublemaker. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Interjection === tarnation (archaic) Used to express anger, irritation, disappointment, annoyance, contempt, etc. === Adjective === tarnation (comparative more tarnation, superlative most tarnation) Bothersome; devilish. Generic intensifier. === Adverb === tarnation (comparative more tarnation, superlative most tarnation) Very; extremely. ==== Usage notes ==== This New Englandism has fallen out of use in New England, but is remembered for its colorfulness and is still used in the Southeastern United States as a minced oath, where "hell" or "damn" would otherwise be said, especially in the phrase "what in tarnation". === Anagrams === Tarantino, intra-NATO, tranation