holy mackerel

interjection

Slang.

1. (used as an exclamation to express surprise or wonder.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of holy mackerel¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Holy mackerel, if I could unlock that at Hostess Brands.

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“It is certainly unusual to hear someone who buys blood from the poor of Calcutta exclaim, ‘Holy mackerel!’” she wrote.

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When he gets miffed during staff meetings, the governor usually says, “Holy mackerel.”

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“We went from, we’re not going to make it to, holy mackerel, we’re going to make the Daytona 500,” he said.

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When that door opens to you — "Oh, holy mackerel."

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