what the helly
English
Etymology
From what the hell + -y. Popularized in 2025 by the American rapper Rob49’s song “WTHelly” (pronounced “what the helly”).[1][2]
Pronunciation
Audio (US): (file)
Phrase
- (mildly vulgar, slang) Synonym of what the hell.
- 1976 October–December, Rita Gutierrez-Christensen, “Eulogy for a Man from Jalostitlan”, in Grito del Sol, year 1, book 4, Berkeley, Calif.: Tonatiuh International, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 59:
- Two years before, Larry and I / Had taken him to the land of his birth. / At first he hesitated—his age, his health, / But then, impulsively and daringly, / he said, “What the helly!”
- 2025 July 19, Saine J. Hanst [pseudonym], “Don’t Be”, in Alter (Midas Touch; 1), →ISBN:
- But when he realized what had just happened… Kalonice’s long, messy hair fell to his shoulders. He jumped in fright and almost threw his fists. “WHAT THE HELLY!?” He clutched his heart. He dropped it from the shock!
- 2025 September 18, Desjah, “Wait, WHAT?! Chrisean Rock’s Foot Antics With HoodTrophy Bino Got The TL [timeline] Stressed (VIDEO)”, in The Shade Room[2], Los Angeles, Calif., archived from the original on 18 September 2025:
- Y’all! Not, Chrisean Rock giving us content that we definitely didn’t ask for! Just when the timeline thought it had seen it all, she popped out with a moment that left folks confused, amused, and running straight to the comments like, “Uhhh…what the helly?”
- For more quotations using this term, see Citations:what the helly.
References
- ^ Phillip Hamilton (28 March 2025), “What Does 'What The Helly' Mean And Where Did It Come From? The Viral 'WTHelly' Song And Memes Explained”, in Know Your Meme[1], archived from the original on 29 March 2025.
- ^ Rita Templeton (18 September 2025), “Tween & Teen Slang 2025: A Definitive Guide to ‘What the Hellyante’ Your Kid Is Saying Right Now”, in SheKnows, New York, N.Y.: SHE Media: “Can’t say “what the hell” in school? Then just say “what the helly” or “what the hellyante!” It originated with Rob49’s song “WTHelly” but has woven its way into teen slang as an exclamation or interjection.”