holy moly

[ moh-lee ]

interjection

, Slang.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of holy moly¹

moly coined as rhyming twin to holy, on the model of holy cow, holy smoke, etc.

Example Sentences

Entertainment blog Holy Moly is among the most effusive with praise.

From The Daily Beast

When Orlean recently tweeted the question, “Is it ‘holy moly’ or ‘holey moley’ or ‘holy moley’?”

From The Daily Beast