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.
Such frivolities would no doubt have stirred the lightnings in Arthur's father, terrible-tempered "Holy Joe" Rank.
From Time Magazine Archive
Jimmy" Walker had to pay 5¾% for money, "Holy Joe McKee got it for 5¼%.
From Time Magazine Archive
Credited with some part in kicking "Holy Joe," Tammany stumbling block, upstairs into a $50,000 job was Tammany's foxy little Boss John Francis Curry.
From Time Magazine Archive
Holy Joe was a complete bear, even in his dealings with heaven.
From Time Magazine Archive
All Holy Joe did was lift his face to the night and pray in simple words that Nils might have a safe passage on this long voyage he was starting.
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.
