Green’s Dictionary of Slang

who the devil...? phr.

[devil, the phr. (1)]

a general interrogatory intensifier; a var. on what the devil...? phr.

[UK]Otway Soldier’s Fortune II i: Smooth rogue! who the devil is this fellow?
[UK]T. Shadwell Squire of Alsatia I i: Who the devil would have thought this put durst have drawn a sword?
[UK]S. Centlivre Busy Body III i: Who the Devil lives here?
[UK]Penkethman’s Jests 18: Who the devil expected Set Forms in a Meeting-house.
[UK]Smollett Roderick Random (1979) 54: Who the devil are you?
[UK]Bridges Homer Travestie (1764) I 60: But who the d—l durst say no, Since angry Jove would have it so.
[UK]A. Mayhew Paved with Gold 156: Who the devil’s that French fellow?
[Ire]C.J. Kickham Knocknagow 229: An’ who the divil cares what you or the likes of you agree with?
[UK]F. Taylor Auf Wiedersehen Pet Two 309: ‘Who the devil’s Hazel?’ thundered Ally.