Holy mackerel, I forgot my keys.
holy mackerel
idiomAn expression of surprise.
Origin
first recorded 19th c. disputed originRecorded 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.
He opened the envelope and said, "Holy mackerel, I actually won the prize."
Holy mackerel, she whispered, staring at the test results she had not dared to hope for.
- 01
holy buckets
An exclamation of surprise or astonishment.
- 02
holy catfish
Expressing terror, awe, surprise, astonishment, etc.
- 03
holy cow
An exclamation of surprise or astonishment.
- 04
holy crap
An expression of amazement: holy cow, holy shit.
- 05
holy crap on a stick
Emphatic form of holy crap.
- 06
holy crickets
An expression of surprise or astonishment.
- 07
holy crud
holy crap; holy shit
- 08
holy doodle
An expression of surprise.