When somebody says that they are "bored as hell" or "tired as hell," what does the phrase "as hell" actually refer to?

Question

When somebody says that they are "bored as hell" or "tired as hell," what does the phrase "as hell" actually refer to?

Question #142138. Asked by matthewpokemon.
Last updated Jan 24 2016.
Originally posted Jan 24 2016 3:35 AM.

namrewsna

Answer has 6 votes

Currently Best Answer

namrewsna

10 year member
127 replies avatar

Answer has 6 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.

They just seem to be in a family of hyperbolic expressions for emphasis and all serve to be synonymous with "very". Sesrching under various indivdual such expressions (cold as hell, hot as hell, slow as hell, etc.) Will net different first recorded uses.

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/Hot+as+Hell

https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/as_hell

Jan 24 2016, 10:58 AM

Sign in or Create Free User ID to participate in the discussion

Answer 1

hackworr

Answer has 0 votes

hackworr

13 year member
15 replies avatar

Answer has 0 votes.

I think that Hell, is just meaning to the extreme. I'm very very bored, or very very very tired.

"as hell" could also mean something more nefarious, but who knows, to hell with this; I'm sure you'll find a better answer.

Jan 24 2016, 9:06 AM