tarnaladj.
/ˈtɑːnəl/ slang (chiefly U.S.).
Used as an expression of execration, passing into a mere intensive: = eternal adj. 7.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [adjective] > euphemisms for stronger oaths > for 'damn'
tarnation1784
tarnal1790
darned1815
dratted1857
dagnab1934
cotton-picking1958
1790 R. Tyler Contrast (1887) ii. ii. 39 The snarl-headed curs fell a-kicking and cursing of me at such a tarnal rate, that..I was glad to take to my heels.
a1821 J. W. Masters Dick & Sal lxii. (E.D.D.) Dare was a tarnal sight of meat.
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) Tarnal, eternal.
1848 J. R. Lowell Biglow Papers 1st Ser. ii. 23 I dars n't skeer the tarnal thing fer fear he 'd run away with 't.
Derivatives
ˈtarnally adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > eternity or infinite duration > [adverb]
always fortha700
alwayeOE
oeOE
everOE
buten endea1000
echelichec1175
till doomsdayc1175
to timea1200
perdurablyc1275
in ayea1300
without endc1330
anytimea1375
for ay and oc1374
continually1382
perpetuallyc1385
ay-forthc1390
everlastinglyc1390
perpetualc1392
eternallyc1393
endlessa1400
in (also for, to) perpetuitya1400
always?c1425
without timec1425
endlesslya1450
sempiternlyc1450
infinitivec1470
aylastinglyc1475
everlastingc1475
incessantly1481
in saecula saeculorum1481
sempiternally1509
all days1533
for altogether1542
constantly1567
interminate?1567
incorruptibly1579
perpetuously1612
in perpetuum1613
eternal1614
unterminably1631
unfadinglya1672
unendingly1674
for a constancy1710
perennially1729
tarnally1790
imperishably1795
indefectibly1837
immortally1858
fadelessly1861
1790 R. Tyler Contrast (1887) ii. ii. 90 Laugh by rule! Well, I should like that tarnally.
a1828 J. Bernard Retrospections of Amer. (1887) x. 241 May I be 'tarnally starved down for mutton broth, if [etc.].
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xiv. [Oxen of the Sun] 405 Tarnally dog gone my shins if this beent the bestest puttiest longbreak yet.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1790