ABSTRACT

Such questions differ from normal wh-questions in a number of ways, as have been observed. First, although normal wh-phrases may stay in situ (as in multiple questions), expressions like what the hell, what the Dickens, who on earth, etc. (henceforth, wh-the-hell expressions) must always be moved to Spec, CP:

(2) a. What did you buy for whom? b. Who bought what for him?