hell

hell
hell O.E. hel, helle, "nether world, abode of the dead, infernal regions," from P.Gmc. *haljo "the underworld" (Cf. O.Fris. helle, Du. hel, O.N. hel, Ger. Hölle, Goth. halja "hell") "the underworld," lit. "concealed place" (Cf. O.N. hellir "cave, cavern"), from PIE *kel- "to cover, conceal, save" (see CELL (Cf. cell)).
The English word may be in part from O.N. Hel (from P.Gmc. *halija "one who covers up or hides something"), in Norse mythology the name of Loki's daughter, who rules over the evil dead in Niflheim, the lowest of all worlds (nifl "mist"). Transfer of a pagan concept and word to a Christian idiom. In M.E., also of the Limbus Patrum, place where the Patriarchs, Prophets, etc. awaited the Atonement. Used in the KJV for O.T. Heb. Sheol and N.T. Gk. Hades, Gehenna. Used figuratively for "state of misery, any bad experience" since at least late 14c. As an expression of disgust, etc., first recorded 1670s.
Expression Hell in a handbasket is c.1941, perhaps a revision of earlier heaven in a handbasket (c.1913), with a sense of "easy passage" to whichever destination. Hell or high water is apparently a variation of between the devil and the deep blue sea. To wish someone would go to hell is in Shakespeare ("Merchant of Venice"). Snowball's chance in hell "no chance" is from 1931; till hell freezes over "never" is from 1919. To ride hell for leather is from 1889, originally with reference to riding on horseback. Hell on wheels is said to be from 1843 in DAS; popularity dates from 1869 in reference to the temorary workers' towns along the U.S. transcontinental railroad and their vices.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • hell — hell …   Kölsch Dialekt Lexikon

  • hell — hell …   The Old English to English

  • hell — hell …   English to the Old English

  • hell — like, adj. /hel/, n. 1. the place or state of punishment of the wicked after death; the abode of evil and condemned spirits; Gehenna or Tartarus. 2. any place or state of torment or misery: They made their father s life a hell on earth. 3.… …   Universalium

  • Hell — • Hell (infernus) in theological usage is a place of punishment after death Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. hell     Hell     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Hell — steht für leuchtstark, siehe Helligkeit farbstark, siehe Farbhelligkeit pastellfarben Hell steht für: Orte: Hell (Kalifornien) Hell (Michigan) Hell (Norwegen) Hell (Gelderland) Filme: Hell (2011), deutscher Spielfilm von Tim Fehlbaum Hell –… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • hell — (hĕl) n. 1. Christianity a) often Hell The place of eternal punishment for the wicked after death, often imagined as being presided over by Satan and his devils. b) A state of separation from God; exclusion from God s presence. 2. The abode of… …   Word Histories

  • hell — ► NOUN 1) a place regarded in various religions as a spiritual realm of evil and suffering, often depicted as a place of perpetual fire beneath the earth to which the wicked are sent after death. 2) a state or place of great suffering. ►… …   English terms dictionary

  • hell — See: COME HELL OR HIGH WATER, GO THROUGH HELL AND HIGH WATER, HELL ON WHEELS, LIKE HELL, TO HELL WITH, UNTIL HELL FREEZES OVER, WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • hell — See: COME HELL OR HIGH WATER, GO THROUGH HELL AND HIGH WATER, HELL ON WHEELS, LIKE HELL, TO HELL WITH, UNTIL HELL FREEZES OVER, WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • hell — [hel] n. [ME helle < OE hel (akin to Ger hölle, hell & ON Hel, the underworld goddess, HEL) < base of helan, to cover, hide < IE base * k̑el , to hide, cover up > L celare, to hide] 1. [often H ] Bible the place where the spirits of… …   English World dictionary

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