holy mackerel
An expression of surpriseAn expression of surprise.
» Holy mackerel! Is that a shark?
Боже правый, это что, акула? — Ooneykcall
Ничего себе, неужто это акула? — Ooneykcall
slyfin · Tatoeba · CC BY 2.0 FRMeaning
1 senses(euphemistic, humorous, idiomatic)An expression of surprise.
Examples
1 sentencesHoly mackerel! Is that a shark?
ruБоже правый, это что, акула? — Ooneykcall
Origin
Recorded from 1803 with uncertain origin, but possibly a euphemism for Holy Mary, with MacRecorded 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.
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