in thunderation
- idiom
- Archaic
:
¡en qué demonios!
- What in thunderation is going on here?
Examples
-
In thunderation, where did you find that old book?
-
In thunderation, who left the door wide open?
-
In thunderation, I never thought this day would come!
-
I can't believe you did that, in thunderation!
-
In thunderation, I never thought this day would come!
-
In thunderation, where did you find that old book?
-
In thunderation, who left the door wide open?
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Before a noun in an exclamation to show surprise or strong feeling
347
8.9
An angry or surprised question showing you do not believe something
90
8.9
A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance
26
9.9
A strong phrase people say when they are very surprised or shocked
17
9.4
A short informal cry showing surprise or strong feeling
13
7.4
Shows surprise or mild doubt about what someone just said
9
7.7
A short phrase people say to show surprise, shock, or admiration
8
2.6
Words people say when they are surprised to see something
5
7.5
A short phrase people say to show surprise or shock
4
9.5
A short word people say when they are surprised or shocked
3
9.6
To say when you are very surprised or shocked
1
9.9
An old expression showing surprise or shock
A short phrase people say to show surprise or confusion
A strong spoken reaction showing surprise and disbelief
A strong old word people say to show surprise or shock
An old word that people say to show surprise or strong feeling
A short phrase people say to show surprise at something amazing
An old word people say to show surprise, anger, or shock
Antonyms
How Surprised
Surface Forms
Morphology
in + thunderation
Knowing 'in' and 'thunder' does not let a B1 learner infer the exclamative meaning; 'thunderation' is an archaic/nonce expletive formation rather than a literal noun phrase. Such oath-like intensifiers are language-specific and idiomatic, so the overall meaning cannot be derived from the parts without prior exposure.
Etymology
In thunderation is a saying that may come from people using thunder as a loud, polite stand-in for a swear long ago, because the idea of thunder gives a strong image of shock. That's why in thunderation is used to show 'surprise' or 'disbelief'.