Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Same as thunder, 5.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • interjection US, colloquial An exclamation of surprise, agitation or petulance.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

An Americanism around 1830 to 1840 from thunder and -ation.

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Examples

  • Some word which sounded very much like "thunderation" escaped his lips, but he said no more, for he saw in the sleeping woman's face a look he never mistook.

    Miss McDonald Mary Jane Holmes 1866

  • “And just how in thunderation do you reckon that, when you never even set eyes on her face?” demanded Crockett.

    Nevermore Harold Schechter 1999

  • Would you care to explain what in thunderation is going on?

    The Lion’s Lady Julie Garwood 1993

  • Would you care to explain what in thunderation is going on?

    Castles and The Lion’s Lady Julie Garwood 1993

  • "What in thunderation you doin 'now, son?" he asked Tom.

    Tom Swift Jr And His Atomic Earth Blaster Lawrence, James Duncan 1954

  • "How in thunderation did you all ever get in there?"

    The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River or Diamond X and the Chinese Smugglers Willard F. Baker

  • How in thunderation had it come into Cranston's hands?

    Every Man for Himself Hopkins Moorhouse

  • "What in thunderation started _you_ last night?" said my father at breakfast.

    We Three Gouverneur Morris 1914

  • "For thunderation sakes, Olive, let up!" he commanded.

    The Portygee Joseph Crosby Lincoln 1907

  • Of course, I knew lots of moneyed chaps at Yale; but thunderation, I'd have to want public office a good deal harder than I do to go round cap in hand!

    The Freebooters of the Wilderness 1903

Comments

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  • Is there any other interjection that has all the vowels?

    November 4, 2007

  • Jumpin' Jehoshaphat!

    November 20, 2007

  • A similar one: buggeration.

    November 23, 2007

  • Perfect, yarb!

    November 23, 2007

  • The goblin in triumph has stunned the nation;

    Let’s pray that his tenure is one duration.

    What words can convey

    Our fear and dismay?

    Oh dammit! And bother! And thunderation!

    June 14, 2018