Tarnation

Pronunciation: /tɑːrˈneɪʃən/

Definitions of tarnation

noun a mild oath or expression of anger or annoyance

Example Sentences

A1 What in tarnation is that noise outside?

A2 I can't believe he said 'tarnation' in front of his grandma.

B1 The cowboy exclaimed 'What in tarnation!' when he saw the stampede.

B2 The old prospector muttered 'tarnation' as he struggled to lift the heavy gold nugget.

C1 The politician's use of 'tarnation' in his speech raised eyebrows among the audience.

C2 The author's novel was filled with colorful language, including the word 'tarnation'.

Examples of tarnation in a Sentence

formal The use of such language in a formal setting is simply not appropriate.

informal What in tarnation are you talking about?

slang Tarnation, that was a close call!

figurative The chaos in the city was like a whirlwind of tarnation.

Grammatical Forms of tarnation

• past tense: tarnationed
• plural: tarnations
• comparative: more tarnation
• superlative: most tarnation
• present tense: tarnates
• future tense: will tarnation
• perfect tense: have tarnationed
• continuous tense: is tarnationing
• singular: tarnation
• positive degree: tarnation
• infinitive: to tarnation
• gerund: tarnationing
• participle: tarnationed

Origin and Evolution of tarnation

First Known Use: 1785 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The word 'tarnation' originated from the combination of 'damnation' and 'eternal' in early American English.

Evolution of the word: Originally used as a mild expletive expressing surprise or frustration, 'tarnation' has evolved to become a quaint and humorous term in modern language.