In the zany world of Looney Tunes, there's always a lot going on, and sometimes, it can be hard to believe what you're seeing. Such is the case with the phrase "What in tarnation?" - a classic exclamation that pops up in the Warner Bros. cartoons, often uttered by characters in disbelief or shock. Let's dive into the history and context of this classic phrase in the Looney Tunes universe.
Before we delve into its use in Looney Tunes, it's essential to understand the origins of the phrase "What in tarnation?" In early 20th-century America, "tarnation" was an euphemism for "hell," used to express intense emotion without actually saying a "bad" word. The phrase "What in tarnation?" thus served as a way to express surprise, dismay, or annoyance in a more sanitized way.
Looney Tunes & Censorship in Early Animation
The early Looney Tunes cartoons, particularly those produced during the Golden Age of American animation (roughly 1928-1960), were subject to strict censorship. The Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA), later known as the Motion Picture Association (MPA), introduced the Hays Code in 1930, which stipulated that cartoons could not depict "scenes of ceremonial book burnings, race riots, or any portrayal of a depraved manner of living."
As a result, animators had to get creative with their language, resorting to teasing and clever wordplay to convey strong emotions. "What in tarnation?" became a regular catchphrase, fitting perfectly into this more polite, but no less energetic, universe.
Bugs Bunny & "What in tarnation?"
One of the most famous users of the phrase "What in tarnation?" is Bugs Bunny, the iconic Looney Tunes rabbit. In many episodes, Bugs uses this exclamation when he's caught off guard by his adversaries' antics. For instance, in "Baseball Bugs" (1946), when Yosemite Sam pulls out a giant mallet to whack Bugs, the rabbit exclaims, "What in tarnation is that?"
In "Rabbit of Seville" (1950), when Sam pulls out an anvil to drop on Bugs, the rabbit sheepishly says, "What in tarnation have we here?" These instances highlight Bugs' disbelieving shock at the over-the-top antics of his enemies, adding to the cartoon's humor and absurdity.
Other Looney Tunes Characters & "What in tarnation?"
The phrase wasn't exclusive to Bugs Bunny, of course. Other Looney Tunes characters, like Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, also used it to convey their surprise. In "You Ought to Be in Pictures" (1940), Daffy exclaims, "What in tarnation is that?" when he sees Porky's uncanny ability to attract camera attention.
Porky himself uses the phrase in "Porky in Wacky Land" (1938) when he sees the bizarre creatures inhabiting that zany realm. These examples illustrate how the phrase "What in tarnation?" became a ubiquitous expression of disbelief within the Looney Tunes universe.
The Enduring Legacy of "What in tarnation?"
The phrase "What in tarnation?" continued to be used long after the Hays Code was abandoned. Even into the 1990s and 2000s, newer Looney Tunes productions, like the TV series "Tiny Toon Adventures" and "Looney Tunes: Back in Action" (2003), kept the classic catchphrase alive, showing its enduring popularity.
Today, "What in tarnation?" remains a nostalgic reminder of a time when animation pushed against censorship boundaries, fostering creativity and humor. It's become a beloved part of the Looney Tunes legacy, Now, whenever someone says "What in tarnation?" we can think of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig, and smile at the crazy adventures they've shared with us over the decades.
