the fuck
English
Etymology
Perhaps modelled after the hell, short for in the hell as in "What in the hell, ...".
Pronunciation
Audio (AU): (file)
Phrase
(deprecated template usage) the fuck
- (vulgar, slang) Used after interrogative pronouns as an intensifier to express anger, frustration, incredulity, or other strong emotion.
- 2011 April 29, Tim Jonze, The Guardian:
- "Look at this!" she says, mock-appalled at the scene. "Seriously, what the fuck is this about?"
- 2016 June 19, “Brexit” (00:14:33 from the start), in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver[1], HBO, via HBO:
- Poland is depressing and there's vampires in Romania. Spain is far too hot and where the fuck is Lithuania?
- Synonyms: see Thesaurus:the dickens
- 2011 April 29, Tim Jonze, The Guardian:
- (vulgar, slang) Used after verbs forming a part of a phrasal verb as an intensifier to imply aggressive emphasis.
- 2004, Pun Plamondon, Lost from the Ottawa, page 84:
- “Get the fuck out of my house!” Sinclair bellowed, his face red, eyes bulging.
- (vulgar, slang, by ellipsis) Used as a shortened form of the common interrogative phrases.
- The fuck was that? ― What the fuck was that?
- The fuck you think you are?! ― Who the fuck do you think you are?
- The fuck? ― (said incredulously; also as what the fuck?)
- (vulgar, slang) Used to emphatically express that something isn't true.
- 1997, Robert Stone, Dog Soldiers, page 88:
- ‘You're not a self-respecting person.’
- ‘The fuck I ain't,’ the kid said.
Derived terms
- dafuq (said incredulously and used for less serious situations)
- GTFO
- STFU
- what the fuck
Related terms
Translations
vulgar: intensifier used after interrogative pronouns
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vulgar: intensifier forming part of a phrasal verb