holy mackerel en · INTJ
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
Recorded from 1803 with uncertain origin, but possibly a euphemism for Holy Mary, with Mackerel being a nickname for Catholics because they ate the fish on Fridays. Another suggested explanation is the practice of selling mackerel on Sundays in the seventeenth century (because its quality deteriorates rapidly), so it was known as holy fish.
Meanings
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(euphemistic, humorous, idiomatic) An expression of surprise.
Holy Mackerel! Here Comes the Bride!"
1951, Marguerite Wallace Kennedy, chapter 3, in My Home on the Range:"Holy mackerel! Just any old dumb hag who can cook and lie on her back?"
1956, Ian Fleming, Diamonds are Forever, published 1965, page 163:‘Holy mackerel!’ he whispered. ‘Englehorn! Driscoll! Get a look at this thing.’
1932, Delos W. Lovelace, King Kong, published 1965, page 48:
Synonyms
Translations (1)
oc macarèl (expression of surprise)