Last week Len, Willa, and I took a road trip to Puyallup, WA (just outside of Tacoma).
- Len attended an EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Chapter Leadership Bootcamp event.
- I had uninterrupted writing to accomplish.
- Willa? She simply loves road trips!
On the way back to Boise, we stopped at STONEHENGE. Yes, you read that right. We stopped at the American Stonehenge in Maryhill, Washington.
The Maryhill Stonehenge—a replica of England’s Stonehenge—is built on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River, the border between Washington and Oregon. It was commissioned in the early 20th century by the wealthy entrepreneur Sam Hill, and dedicated on July 4, 1918, as a memorial to the people who had died in World War I.
We were wondering if the expression “What in the Sam Hill?” is based on the Maryhill Stonehenge Sam Hill. According to Wikipedia, it’s not. They explain:
“Sam Hill is an American English slang phrase, a euphemism or minced oath for ‘the devil’ or ‘hell’ personified (as in, ‘What in the Sam Hill is that?’). The ‘Sam’ coming from (sal(o)mon an oath) and ‘Hill’’from hell. Etymologist Michael Quinion and others date the expression back to the late 1830s.”
I lived in Washington state for five years and never once heard about the Maryhill Stonehenge. Finding out about it rocked my world.
What’s the most recent thing that’s rocked your world?
Tuesdays with Laurie 
That is so cool. I did not know about it either. Seeing the original Stonehenge was pretty amazing.
Darlene — I can well imagine that if the Stonehenge in Washington state is awe-inspiring, that the real deal in Englang has got to be AMAZING! 🙂
How wonderful to find a little bit of old England in the USA! And I love the expression too, although I had never heard of it, ‘What on Earth’ or ‘What the Dickens’ being more common here.
I’ve seen so many wonders in our travels that I would find it very hard to choose, but the ruins of the castle I walked around in Coucy-le-Château Auffrique on New Year’s Eve is the latest marvel on my long list.
It is not a common expression. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone outside of a movie or TV use it. I think Col. Potter on the old TV show MASH might have said it, and that’s set during the Korean War.
Thank you for this.
You’re welcome!
Merril — You’re absolutely right. I can easily imagine Col. Potter on MASH saying it! 🙂
🙂
Fatima — The ruins of the castle that you walked around in Coucy-le-Château Auffrique would be an incredible experience!
It was very tranquil. I think you’d love it too.
What the “Sam Hill”? Did I see you in a new red car today? My favorite car color! But watch out for the police! They love to pull over those red car drivers!
Jan — One of my friends called the color “Hello Officer, Red.” 😂
Great post 😁
The#1Itinerary — Thank you 🙂
We have Foamhenge in Alabama. Oh, those crazy rednecks……only this was created by a billionaire…. what the Sam Hill fits perfectly, Laurie!
LoisaJay — I just looked up the Stonehenge replica in Alabama that you mentioned. Who knew?! Here’s a link to it: https://clonehenge.com/2019/01/30/alabamas-stonehenge-when-the-aliens-land-theyre-going-to-be-confused/
It’s about an hour away from me, so when we just feel like a fun drive……
The Stonehenge we saw in England is a little more rugged looking than this one, which I’ve never heard about. It doesn’t rock my world though. Seeing you in that snappy red car does!
Marian — I’m having just a little too much fun in that Fiat. Someone on Facebook called the color: “Hello Officer, Red.” If I’m not careful…
My newly adopted big black cat, Coco, is doing her best to rock my world.
LakeAfton — Coco the Cat. Ya gotta love it! 🐾
My dad used that expression. I can still hear it in his voice in my head. Maybe Sam Hill was named after the expression? The latest thing to rock my world was this video of wind blowing snow over the wall of the Niagara River this weekend. The winds were CRAZY here. https://binged.it/2TcW9n3
Arlene — Oh. My. GOSH! That video clip is incredible! Thank you for sharing it 🙂
What rocked my world most recently (in a good way) is learning my short story was accepted for an anthology on pioneer women. I’ve tried for years to write short stories and find them much more difficult than novels. The lesson: practice, practice, practice and never give up.
Pat — Congratulations! I’m delighted for you! 🙂
Whaaatttt!!! How could this site NOT be famous? Is it made from solid stone slabs? How does it compare, in size, to Stonehenge?
Michael — Here is a link with more information. It says that it’s a full-scale replica: http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/visit/stonehenge-memorial
That monument reminds me of a very moving memorial we found in Bastogne, Belgium, where we found, unexpectedly, older folks thanking us as Americans for coming to their rescue back in WWII. As a pacifist from baby up, it was eye opening, rocking my world at that time. Stonehenge I understand to be more of a mystically moving experience. But yes, interesting you found Maryhill and didn’t know anything about it.
Melodie — What you shared about people thanking you (Americans) for coming to their rescue in WWII is very touching and brought tears to my eyes.
I have heard that phrase, way back in the day, but I cannot recall from whom. Rocking my world? Right now? My proximity to the ocean. The ocean is my soul soother and heart smiler.
Carol — The ocean? I’m with you siSTAR! ⭐
That’s awesome, Laurie. I never knew that was there. Adding it to my travel list!
Ray — I know. Right?! 🙂
I had not idea! I continue to learn….
Rebecca — It was news to us, too 🙂
What an amazement! It would be fun to see it. I suspect Sam Hill’s builders had an easier process for building it than the ancient peoples. But remarkable it is anyway!
My rocking moment recently was weather related. Ice covered everthing last week for a couple of days. I watched a tall (half its height extended over the top of the house) white birch tree across the street. I observed its long, moderately thick branches slowly bend over the hours, until one branch finally kissed the ground. A few days later, the ice was gone and the tree srands strong and straight again. Nature always rocks me!
Audrey — What you just described is incredible! That would have made an interesting “progressive-type” photo shoot 🙂
Lovely post. Never heard of the American version. Interesting find thanks for sharing. 🙂
Marge — We hadn’t heard of the American version of Stonehenge either. It was such a cool find! 🙂
I love that expression, “What in the Sam Hill !?” It makes me think of gnarly, old prospectors peering down a mine shaft…thinking twice about going in to see what’s making all the noise down there… The Maryhill Stonehenge is pretty darn awesome, even in a photo. Having visited the mysterious Georgia Guidestones 4 times to puzzle over the monumental stones erected there, I have wondered many hours over the Who? and the Why? As for having my World rocked lately, I would be very happy for it quit rocking and settle on down.
Sandi — I, too, would love for the rocks in your world to be pulverized right down to fine powder.
Never heard of the place. I have had no rock my world moments of late…
Jeff — But you just never know. It might be right around the bend 🙂
So true!
Wow ! Such a discovery , I’ve been to the original Stonehenge…magic.
We had a trip out to Laughane ( West Wales) where Dylan Thomas wrote from a boat House. Laurie you would love it for your writing…so would I .
Cherryx
Cherry — It would be cool to see the house boat that Dylan Thomas wrote from! And if I’m not mistaken, the massive stones that make up Stonehenge in England came from Wales! 🙂
You are right they are fro The Preseli Hills right by us 😁
Cherryx
Sent from my iPad
I didn’t even know this existed!
Zannyro — I know. Right?! 🙂
Wow if I had known you could have come to dinner – in that little red car!!! My partner says Maryhill – Stonehenge is fairly new and since he left that area of the State!
Patricia — The American Stonehenge website says it was dedicated on 4 July 1918.
He says his family must not have known about it? “oh really!” But then they all lived through the release of nuclear waste as they were growing in that area and all of them have huge health problems (MS and blindness huge) and so they can tell you mountains of information about Hanford!
Rocks my world? … someone built a replica of Stonehenge in the US, when something original could’ve been commissioned, oh well, that’s humans for you. 😀
Widdershins — I think it was Oscar Wilde who said “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” When I was in school, we called it being a “copy cat.” 🙂
It’s hard to imaging ‘sincere’ and ‘flattery’ in the same sentence being anything other than snark. 😀
Widdershins — Agreed 🙂
Rocks my world literally: my favorite band “Ok Go” is on tour and we got tickets for April!! Have you seen their videos? See “I Won’t Let You Down” for a good sample. : ) -Rebecca
Rebecca — I will make a point of checking them out on YouTube! 🙂
Great. Best video since Thriller. ; ) R
I’ve never heard of the American Stonehenge, Laurie, and think as a memorial, even more impressive than the novelty I first thought it might be! My world has been rocked by more rain than we’ve seen in years. I’m doing a happy dance. 🙂
Debra — I bet the trees in your area are doing a happy dance, too! 🌲
My world was rocked when I first saw the ‘real’ Stonehenge about 20 years ago (before they put up barriers and such. My guy and I arrived on a foggy misty late afternoon. We were almost the only ones there (a miracle in itself). I walked around the stones and felt a deep reverence, yes, but even more. I felt a huge deep PRESENCE within and around. I don’t tell too many people about this – sounds too whoo whoo to most. But I will never, ever forget that feeling.
Never heard of Sam Hill’s Stonehenge. If I saw it, I’d probably proclaim, “What in the Sam Hill?” 🙂
Pam — Just reading your comment gave me the shivers. The good kind! 🙂
Yes – the ‘rock’ing shivers! 🙂 xo
Fascinating! Great post!
KKessler833 — I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I had never heard of the Maryhill Stonehenge before your relevation of its existence here, Laurie! (Did you do any wine tasting while in the area?) Jack and I will need to make a visit there for sure as my Great Uncle, my dear Grandmother’s younger brother, Frederick, died during WWI while fighting on England’s side as a Canadian citizen. He was a pilot in the Royal Air Force who was shot down in enemy territory and never seen again. I have his Flight Logs, the telegram to my Great Grandparents notifying them of their son’s death, and a few personal letters written between him and his father which he originated from a far during his Duty. I have on display in our living room the Royal Cross presented to my Great Grandparents via the Canadian Minister of Militia & Defence in honor of Fred. Written on its accompanying card was the meaningful sentiment: “This Cross is presented to you in memory of one who in the Great War died for King and Country.” How easy it is for a writing by one to become a reminder of something else for another! Thank you for this opportunity to bring up such memories and emotion on my part! So on a lighter side, regarding your beginning quote as to “Sam”, I will invoke the words of Marilyn Monroe of so many, many years ago: “Ever Notice How ‘What The Hell’ Is Always The Right Answer?” 🙂
Jan — The recount of your Great Uncle brought tears to my eyes. Yes, you must make a trip to Maryhill Stonehenge and the memorial in his honor.
The “Sam Hill” expression was also said by Scout in “To Kill A Mockingbird” to Dill. GREAT post here Laurie! Fascinating in every sense!
What rocked my world? Ha! The first of my five children received their driver’s license this past week. Jillian (#4 at age 18) is now behind the wheel! I never goaded them to drive -quite the contrary- and I am a frightened parent.
Sam — I suspect that you and Lucille will be white-knuckled for a very, very long time to come 😂