Etymology Journal ยท H
Hotter than blue blazes
Meaning
- Used to describe a day that is extremely, uncomfortably hot. It emphasizes the sweltering nature of the air.
Folksy, emphatic
Used in a sentence
- I need to go back inside, it is hotter than blue blazes out here.
- It was hotter than blue blazes at the state fair this year.
- The car was hotter than blue blazes after sitting in the parking lot all afternoon.
The backstory
Blue blazes is an old euphemism for hell. It dates back to the 19th century as a way to avoid using religious terms while describing intense heat.
Heard in
The South, Midwest
Vibe check