1. Originated in Oakland in the mid-70s.
2. Was originally pronounced "hell of" (NOT "hell of a").
3. Examples:
4. Was funny because it confused people.
5. First used in a movie: E.T. (1982). Boy looks in fridge and mumbles to himself, "there's nothin' but hella shit in here."
6. Kids began to say "heck of" to keep from getting in trouble w/ parents.

The word hella dates back hella long. The first time I remember hearing it was in oakland in 1978.

Northern California contaction of "hell of". Used like the adjectives "very" or "really", or the adverb "way". Often used by NorCal inhabitants without being aware. Very similar to the "wicked" of Boston. It is now generally only found in the Bay Area, specifically the East Bay, where its use has thrived. Not heard, ever, outside of Northern California.

it`s a word used in the yay and so-cal people are hella jealous cuz they ain`t got shit!

Hell of
Best word ever
Anyone who says it's not from NorCal is a hella big idiot.
Especially ppl from Las Vegas... fags

Hella is used mainly in Northern California/Central Valley. If one from NorCal or the Valley goes to vacation to the coast or SoCal and uses hella, they might be shunned or easily spotted as a tourist. Most who are not from the Valley or NorCal do not know how to use hella properly.

SIMPLY:
Contraction of "Hell of..."
MEANING: "A lot of..." but not just in terms of quantity, but also magnatude.

*That greek def. (see above) is insane- whatever... "Hecka" was what a suburban loser from Walnut Creek (or Hayward) might say, simply because the word "Hell" as in "Hell-a" wasn't as commonly permitted in Sunday-school-going areas.