A euphemism for the devil.
1839. What in sam hill is that feller ballin’ about?—‘Major Jack on a Whaler,’ Havana (N.Y.) Republican, Aug. 21.
1868. He had bought him a little bob-tailed, mouse-colored mule, and was training him like Sam Hill.—Leavenworth (Kas.) paper, quoted in ‘Following the Guidon,’ p. 142 (1890) (N.Y.).
1909. How in Sam Hill can she do it? She’s just as hot when she gets to bilin’ p’int as she’ll ever be.—N.Y. Evening Post, April 12.
