WTH

What Does WTH Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

WTH most often means "What The Hell/Heck?", but it can also mean "Who The Hell/Heck?" or "Where The Hell/Heck?".

What The Hell/Heck?

The abbreviation WTH is most commonly used as a rhetorical question, with the meaning "What The Hell?" or "What The Heck?". In this context, WTH expresses surprise, shock or anger. WTH is a more polite version of the far more commonly used abbreviation WTF (What The F*ck?).

Who The Hell/Heck? and Where The Hell/Heck?

WTH is also used with the meanings "Who The Hell?" and "Where The Hell?". (Or "Who The Heck?" and "Where The Heck?".) In these contexts, WTH is typically used as a straightforward question, but also expresses a degree of exasperation or annoyance.

Image for WTH

When I write WTH, I mean this:

When used with the meaning "What the Hell/Heck?", WTH is a politer version of WTF.

Summary of Key Points

First Definition for WTH

"What the Hell/Heck?" is, by far, the most common meaning for WTH when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

WTH
Definition:	What the Hell/Heck?
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Second Definition for WTH

"Who the Hell/Heck?" is another common definition for WTH

WTH
Definition:	Who the Hell/Heck?
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Third Definition for WTH

WTH is also used with the meaning "Where the Hell/Heck?".

WTH
Definition:	Where the Hell/Heck?
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of WTH in Sentences

Here are examples of WTH in conversations:

Robyn: I've been given an award at the office, for punctuality.
Liza: WTH?! You'd be late for your own funeral!

Sarah: On my way. See you in an hour or so.
Simon WTH! You were supposed to be here 5 minutes ago. WTH are you?

An Academic Look at WTH

WTH is typically used an an interjection. An interjection is included in a sentence to express a sentiment such as surprise, anger or irritation (as well as disgust, joy, excitement, or enthusiasm). WTH also often plays the role of an interrogative sentence (i.e., a question). However, even when used as a question, it is commonly seen without a question mark (i.e., it can be written "WTH?" or "WTH").

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have just said "What The Hell/Heck?", "Who The Hell/Heck?" or "Where The Hell/Heck," instead of using the abbreviation WTH.