holy moley

English

Alternative forms

• holy moly!

Etymology

c. 1892

Interjection

holy moley!

1. (idiomatic, dated, humorous or euphemistic) An expression of surprise
   • 1892, Nathaniel Gould, Running it off; or, Hard hit^[1]:

     "Whew !" he whistled, softly; "that's curious. Same name as the lady at our place. Suppose he should be her husband. Holy moley, what a game. I've made a discovery.

Synonyms

• holy cow
• holy mackerel
• holy smoke

Translations