What are some old-world alternatives or precursors to 'WTF' (expressions of frustration or surprise)? [closed]
Such as 'what on Earth' or 'what in the world', etc. I'm trying to come up with a list of witty alternatives.
Note: I'm not looking for alternatives to the letters W, T, and F. I'm looking for alternative phrases such as the ones I listed above.
WTD is quite old (What the Devil). Here's an early example from 1727:
How about:
How in Tarnation!?
What in Thunder?
I'll be jiggered!
Maybe you would like:
How on earth?
How in Creation?
blimey
exclamation Brit., informal
used to express one's surprise, excitement, or alarm.
ORIGIN late 19th century: altered form of (God) blind (or blame) me!
My grandmother used to say "well, I'll go to the foot of our stairs!"