An exclamation of surprise, shock, or amazement — a mild, family-friendly oath that lets you vent genuine astonishment without offending anyone.
An exclamation of surprise, shock, or amazement — a mild, family-friendly oath that lets you vent genuine astonishment without offending anyone. Common in mid-20th century American English, it slots right in alongside 'holy cow' and 'holy smokes' as a go-to reaction when something catches you completely off guard. Still heard occasionally today, especially among older speakers or as a nostalgic throwback.
Holy cats, I can't believe they finished building that in one weekend!
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
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(idiomatic, slang, mildly, _, vulgar) An expression of amazement: holy cow, holy shit.
(idiomatic, vulgar, slang) Expression of terror, awe, surprise, astonishment, etc., often at something seen for the first time or remembered immediately before using this term.
(idiomatic, vulgar, _, slang) Expression of terror, awe, surprise, shock, etc.
(slang, vulgar) An expression of surprise or astonishment.
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(slang) Expressing astonishment.
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