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