English Explanatory Dictionary

hell's bells

English dictionary entry

Meanings

intj
  1. An expression of frustration, outrage, or surprise.
noun
  1. Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium).

Pronunciation

/ˌhɛlz ˈbɛlz/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-hell's bells.wav LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-hell's bells.wav

Word forms

hell's bells

Etymology

From hell + -’s + bells, possibly an elaboration of hell (used to express anger, discontent, or unhappiness) with bells chosen to rhyme with hell’s. The noun sense (Datura stramonium) may allude to the often spiny seed capsules of the poisonous plant which somewhat resemble bells when they mature and split open; compare devil's cucumber, devil's snare, devil's trumpet, and devil's weed which are other common names for the plant.

Synonyms

4uck ay chihuahua blast bugger bummer byrlady consarn it crap crud curses dammit damn dadgummit dagnabbit dang dang it darn darn it dash dash it dizamn d'oh doggone doggonit drat fark feck fiddle fiddlefart fiddlestick fiddlesticks fook frak frick fuck fuck me fudge goddamn goshdarn goddammit goshdarnit good grief gorblimey hang it all heck hell hell's bells hell's bloody bells hell's bloody bells and damnation Holy Mother Holy Mother of God ish Mother of God nuts phooey piss poo raasclaat rats
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