Holy Joe
Americannoun
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a chaplain, especially in the U.S. armed forces.
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a minister or priest.
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a sanctimonious or overly pious person.
noun
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a minister or chaplain
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any sanctimonious or self-righteous person
Etymology
Origin of Holy Joe
First recorded in 1870–75
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Holy Joe" McKee, grave, handsome, scholarly, was born & bred in the sprawling Bronx north of the Harlem River.
From Time Magazine Archive
His father, a fiery Methodist known as "Holy Joe," used to tell him: "When I take a thing to prayer, I always succeed."
From Time Magazine Archive
Such frivolities would no doubt have stirred the lightnings in Arthur's father, terrible-tempered "Holy Joe" Rank.
From Time Magazine Archive
Under Senator "Holy Joe" Bailey's skillful direction it was polite and to the point.
From Time Magazine Archive
As I learned afterwards, Holy Joe, when he learned of the intended mutiny, threatened, in vain attempt to stop it, to go aft and blow the plot.
From The Blood Ship by Springer, Norman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
