holus-bolus
Americanadverb
adverb
Etymology
Origin of holus-bolus
First recorded in 1840–50; mock-Latin rhyming compound based on the phrase whole bolus, or possibly a Latinization of Greek hólos bôlos “whole lump, clod of earth, nugget”; see origin at whole, bolus
Explanation
If a new editor makes changes holus-bolus to the upcoming school yearbook, they do a complete overhaul, changing everything at once. They replace all the student volunteers, arrange for a complete redesign, and find a new printer. Holus-bolus came into use in the mid-1800s, and there are at least two stories about its origin. The English word bolus means "ball," or any soft, round lump of something, and it could be that holus was attached to suggest "whole" while imitating the look and sound of Latin in a nifty rhyming compound. Or it could be from Greek holos bolos, already a nifty rhyming compound meaning "whole lump," followed by a change to Latin endings: Latin uses -us where Greek has -os.
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.
Each train was unloaded as it arrived and its contents thrown holus-bolus into one of the holds, except for the wheeled vehicles.
From The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry and 14th (F. & F. Yeo.) Battn. R.H. 1914-1919 by Ogilvie, David Douglas
They had just killed the animal, and were roasting it whole, holus-bolus, unskinned and undressed.
From Spinifex and Sand by Carnegie, David Wynford
I went downstairs, and I took Mrs. Betteredge—affectionately, you understand—up in my arms, and carried her, holus-bolus, into the best parlour where she received her company.
From The Moonstone by Collins, Wilkie
With these words, she appeared to lose all command over herself; and, making a sudden snatch at the heap of silver, put it back, holus-bolus, in her pocket.
From The Moonstone by Collins, Wilkie
Having imported their whole constitution and law books holus-bolus from England, each colony has been engaged ever since its foundation in fitting them to its circumstances.
From Town Life in Australia by Twopeny, Richard Ernest Nowell
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.
