As stated previously by Aidan Williamson:
An expression of
great confusion, or bewilderment; A strong demand for answers; An emphasized version of "what is that?"
Used in the same way as "What the Hell?" is used. Variations can be used, e.
g. "What in The
Nine Hells is that
thing?"
However, the origin is not, as he said, Forgotten Realms; it is an allusion made to Dante's Infreno, from the Divine Comedy. In the Divine Comedy, Hell is divided into nine circles, each one representing a different sin or crime.
The nine circles span from Limbo (for those who have committed no
great sins, but are not admitted into Heaven because they do not believe in God), to the ninth circle where Satan himself resides (a circle reserved for people who have been treasonous against
friends, family, and their nation.)
