Holy Roller

American  

noun

Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a contemptuous term used to refer to a member of a Pentecostal sect.

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Holy Roller British  

noun

1. derogatory a member of a sect that expresses religious fervour in an ecstatic or frenzied way

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Other Word Forms

• Holy Rollerism noun

Etymology

Origin of Holy Roller

So called from the frenetic religiosity expressed during services

Example Sentences

In interviews Ferrell has attributed her recent whirlwind rise, which also includes an appearance on Bryan’s “Holy Roller” — with about 40 million streams on Spotify — to the teams that came with her signing to Rounder.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1978, Raiders tight end Dave Casper recovered a fumble in the end zone to beat the Chargers on a play memorialized as the “Holy Roller” game.

From Seattle Times

Behind O’Reilly, the NFL executive vice president of club business and league events, was the Holy Roller, an iconic Ferris wheel just off the Las Vegas Strip.

From Seattle Times

Illinois turned once more to its ground game — with a dash of fortuity reminiscent of the Oakland Raiders’ infamous ‘Holy Roller’ play — to take its only lead of the game.

From Washington Times

A play known simply as the “Holy Roller.”

From Seattle Times