1
general::
Phrase(s): What the devil? [and] What the fuck?; What the hell?; What the shit?
What has happened?; What? (Often with the force of an exclamation. What the fuck? and What the shit? are taboo.) • What the devil? Who put sugar in the salt shaker? • What the fuck? Who are you? What are you doing in my room? • What the shit are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at work., Phrase(s): What (in) the devil? [and] What (in) the dickens?
Inf. What has happened?; What? (Often with the force of an exclamation.) • What in the devil? Who put sugar in the salt shaker? • What the dickens? Who are you? What are you doing in my room?
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs