holy cannoli

English

Etymology

Likely modeled on the earlier phrases holy macaroni, holy stromboli, and holy ravioli. Given that, a direct connection to the phonetically similar holy kamoly, which is recorded since 1957, is unlikely.

Interjection

holy cannoli

1. Synonym of holy cow
   • 1979 July 6, “Give Junior Intro to Art”, in Courier-Post, Camden: Gannet, Tgif, page 2 [46, sequentially]:

     You're at some dusty museum with a headache and fallen arches when you see this thing on the wall. "Holy cannoli!" you exclaim with righteous indignation, "My kid coulda done that!"

Synonyms

• See Thesaurus:wow