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The following are possibilities of the term's origin. Euphemism for the devil: H. L. Mencken suggested that the phrase derives from Samiel, the name of the Devil in Der Freischütz, an opera by Carl Maria von Weber that was performed in New York City in 1825.
Feb 6, 2022 · “Sam Hill” is used because “Hill” sounds like “hell,” not because of anything some guy named Sam Hill did, which is why the identity of the original—if there even is one—doesn’t ...
Jul 12, 2024 · The origin of "dadgummit" is rumored to be the hit television show "The Real McCoys," which starred Walter Brennan as Grandpa Amos, for whom "dadgummit" became his epic, country-boy, redneck catchphrase.
Feb 28, 2019 · According to Patricia T. O'Conner and Stewart Kellerman on Grammarphobia.com, the phrase was first seen in print in the early 19 th century. The Oxford English Dictionary quotes the Aug. 1, 1839, Havana, New York, Republican newspaper: "What in sam hill is that feller ballin' about?"
Mar 12, 2024 · The saying was established in American culture, in the 1830s (as per The Word Detective) well before the birth (1857) of Washington State’s Samuel Hill. So why does he get credit around here? The Sam Hill phrase was attributed to him in a 1926 Time Magazine article.
Oct 11, 2021 · Sam Hill is a North American euphemism for hell or the devil. The origin is not known for certain, but it is most likely just a variation on the word hell , with a bit of personification of the devil thrown in for good measure, ala the names Old Nick , Ned , or Scratch .
Oct 11, 2022 · You've most likely heard someone utter the words What in the Sam Hill? as a substitute for cuss words. But did the expression really originate in Michigan?
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Jan 30, 2006 · SAM HILL - "If someone could locate any historical record of a Col. Samuel Hill of Guilford, Connecticut, we might find the origin of the phrase 'go like Sam Hill' or 'run like Sam Hill.' Edwin V. Mitchell makes mention of the man in the 'Encyclopedia of American Politics .
Dec 10, 2009 · A: The Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang says the exclamation “Sam Hill!” originated in early 19th-century America as a euphemism for “Hell!”. As you point out, it’s often found in the longer expression “What the Sam Hill!”. I’ve also heard it as “What in Sam Hill!”.
Origin of Sam Hill. One possibility for the origin of this expression is from the Swedish word for "community" which is "samhället". Some Swedish immigrant to the United States might have said, "Nu ver in de samhället has Johnny gone to?!", and it became anglicized, repeated, and immortalized.
