tarnal, a. (adv.) slang (chiefly U.S.).
(ˈtɑːnəl)
Aphetic dial. pronunciation of eternal, vulgarly used as an expression of execration, passing into a mere intensive: cf. eternal a. 7. Hence ˈtarnally adv.
| 1790 R. Tyler Contrast ii. ii. (1887) 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. Ibid. 90 Laugh by rule! Well, I should like that tarnally. a 1821 [J. W. Masters] Dick & Sal lxii. (E.D.D.), Dare was a tarnal sight of meat. a 1828 J. Bernard Retrospections Amer. (1887) x. 241 May I be 'tarnally starved down for mutton broth, if [etc.]. 1828 Craven Gloss., Tarnal, eternal. 1848 Lowell Biglow P. ii. 72, I darsn't skeer the tarnal thing fer fear he'd run away with 't. 1922 Joyce Ulysses 419 Tarnally dog gone my shins if this beent the bestest puttiest longbreakyet. |