Early 19th century; earliest use found in John Sinclair (1754–1835), agricultural improver, politician, and codifier of ‘useful knowledge’. From Old Icelandic Hel.
Definition of Hel in US English:
Hel
nounhɛl
Mythology
1Niflheim.
2The goddess of the underworld and of the dead.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in John Sinclair (1754–1835), agricultural improver, politician, and codifier of ‘useful knowledge’. From Old Icelandic Hel.