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creation

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in creation?

Used as an intensifier after a question word (who, what, where, when, why, and how) to express extreme confusion, surprise, or aggravation. And just how in creation am I supposed to have three reports done by 9 AM tomorrow? Where in creation did you find that rusty old car? Who in creation is making all that noise?

all over creation

Everywhere; over a great distance or area; all over the place. Primarily heard in US. I've been looking all over creation trying to find you! Janet: "You guys are two hours late! Where were you?" George: "Lenny here thought he'd take a shortcut, and we ended up driving all over creation!"

See also: all, creation

all over creation

 and all over hell and half of Georgia; all over hell and gone; to hell and gone

Rur. everywhere. Little Billy had his toys spread out all over creation. It took forever to clean up after him. They're looking all over creation, trying to find the missing man. Tom has traveled all over hell and half of Georgia trying to find the man who done him wrong.

See also: all, creation

the hind end of creation

Rur. a very remote place. I wish I lived in the city. I'm tired of living here in the hind end of creation. Joe moved out to a little shack at the hind end of creation.

See also: creation, end, hind, of

on earth

 and in creation; in the world

Fig. really; indeed; in fact. (Used as an intensifier after who, what, when, where, how.) What on earth do you mean?' How in creation do you expect me to do that? Who in the world do you think you are?

See also: earth, on

on earth

in any conditions in the world What on earth makes you say that? Why on earth would she ask you to join them? How on earth did you survive the heat? Who on earth would want to collect rocks? Where on earth could Casey have learned such behavior?

Usage notes: used to express great surprise that something could happen or exist

See also: earth, on

in creation

see under on earth.

See also: creation

on earth

1. Also, in creation; in the world. Ever, anywhere, of all possible things. These phrases are all used for emphasis in questions or, less often, in a negative context. For example, What on earth is he doing with a spade? or Where in creation did that child go? or How in the world do you expect me to carry all those bags? [Late 1700s]

2. like nothing on earth. Incomparable. For example, That perfume smells like nothing on earth, or Her new hair color is like nothing on earth. [c. 1900]

See also: earth, on

on earth

Among all the possibilities: Why on earth did you put on that outfit?

See also: earth, on