in the world

English

(idiomatic) Expletive used for emphasis, for example after an interrogative word.
What in the world was that?

Who in the world would want to do that?
- 2012 April 29, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Treehouse of Horror III” (season 4, episode 5; originally aired 10/29/1992)”, in AV Club‎:
  Writing a “Treehouse Of Horror”segment has to be both exhilarating and daunting. It’s exhilarating because it affords writers all the freedom in the world.
- 1900 May 17, L[yman] Frank Baum, chapter 24, in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Ill.; New York, N.Y.: Geo[rge] M. Hill Co., →OCLC:
  "My darling child!" she cried, folding the little girl in her arms and covering her face with kisses. "Where in the world did you come from?"
Used for emphasis after a qualified noun.
the happiest girl in the world

Synonym: on the face of the earth

used for emphasis after an interrogative

Danish: i alverden
Finnish: ihme (fi) (matches the case of mikä), kumma (fi)
French: au monde
German: in aller Welt, in Gottes Namen (de), in Herrgotts Namen, um Himmels willen

used for emphasis together with a noun

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