Posted on 09/19/2012 2:36:56 PM PDT by sirchtruth
Your answer is more than reasonable. I was interested in your personal opinion. It is the fault of society that we now depend on the police to handle what used to be private matters.
Good question! I've always thought this: It's a North Carolina saying.
N.C. is known as the Tarheel state. I use to hear my parents say it in place of other "choice" words.
Dagnabbit, is a good one too!
Update: I looked this up.
tar·na·tion (tär-nshn) New England & Southern U.S. n. The act of damning or the condition of being damned. interj. Used to express anger or annoyance.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tarnation
Here's a further explanation:
Question - What is the etymology of the word "tarnation" as in "what in tarnation?" Is it a melding of "entire nation?"
Answer - In early English, the word 'tarnal' evolved as a vernacular form of 'eternal' . Eternal damnation was shortened, through slang usage, to tarnation and tarnation became a gentle replacement for the word damnation when said in anger or frustration. The following is what Morris' Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins has to say about 'tarnation': In the days when our country was young, men were very careful not to use even mild profamity in front of women. So "Damnation," a heartfelt expression of exasperation or disgust , was toned down a bit and became "Tarnation"
I really thought is was just some terminology specific to N.C.! Ha!
my mom kicked us out of the house after school and told us not to come back inside until it was dark.
LOL.
I’m glad I was a kid in the 70’s and 80’s
Waal dadgummit. Thankee! LOL
“If the kids were 3 to 5 years old, they need to be supervised.”
bull crap!!
By the time I was 3 I would take off up the street on my trike visiting neighbors with the only restriction being that I was home for lunch!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.