Eternal. A Yankee form of swearing.
1790. Why, as I was standing talking with her, a parcel of sailor men and boys got round me, the snarl-headed curs fell a-kicking and cursing of me at such a tarnal rate, that I vow I was glad to take to my heels and split home, right off, tail on end, like a stream of chalk.—Royal Tyler, ‘The Contrast’ (1887), ii. 39. (N.E.D.)
1825. I know your tarnal rigs, inside and out, says I.—John Neal, ‘Brother Jonathan,’ i. 157.
1837. A ’tarnal clean trick was sarved upon a feller in Market Street, a day or two ago.—Phila. Public Ledger, March 6.
1846.
| Jest go home an’ ask our Nancy | |
| Wether I ’d be sech a goose | |
| Ez to jine ye,—guess you ’d fancy | |
| The etarnal bung wuz loose! | |
Lowell, ‘Biglow Papers,’ No. 1. |
1848. The ship drifted on tew a korril reef, and rubbed a tarnal big hole in her plankin’.—W. E. Burton, ‘Waggeries,’ p. 17 (Phila.).
1890. See VARMINT.
