<P> Bloody is a commonly used expletive attributive (intensifier) in British English . It was used as an intensive since at least the 1670s . Considered "respectable" until about 1750, it was heavily tabooed during c. 1750--1920, considered equivalent to heavily obscene or profane speech . Public use continued to be seen as controversial until the 1960s, but since the later 20th century, the word has become a comparatively mild expletive or intensifier . </P> <P> The word is also used in the same way in Australian English, New Zealand English and in other parts of the Commonwealth or in ex-Commonwealth countries . In American English, the word is uncommon and is seen by American audiences as a stereotypical marker of British English, without any significant obscene or profane connotation . </P> <P> Use of the adjective bloody as a profane intensifier predates the 18th century . Its ultimate origin is unclear, and several hypotheses have been suggested . </P>

Where did the saying bloody hell come from