what the heck
What the heck (interjection) means an exclamation of surprise, confusion or annoyance at something unexpected. Example: “What the heck was that noise?”
How to Use What the heck
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA polite way of saying 'what the hell'.
Informal, mild, chiefly American but widely understood.
Heck also intensifies on its own: 'a heck of a lot' simply means a great deal.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ was that noise?
Etymology
From heck, a euphemistic alteration of hell used to avoid swearing.
Synonyms
View more →Related Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'what the heck' and 'what the hell'?
They mean exactly the same thing. Heck is a softened stand-in for hell, so the phrase is milder and acceptable around children, at work or on broadcast television. Choose it when you want the force of the expression without the profanity.
Is 'what the heck' rude?
It is very mild. Most people treat it as harmless slang, though it is still informal enough to avoid in formal writing. Some strict households or religious settings dislike it, since the substitution is transparent.
Does 'what the heck' need a question mark?
Only when it genuinely asks something: 'What the heck happened?' When it means 'oh well, why not', it takes a comma or a dash instead: 'What the heck, let's go.'