holy macaroni
1
9.6
- idiom
- /ˈhoʊli məˈkəroʊni/
- Informal
- Holy macaroni, I never expected him to win the competition!
Examples
-
Holy macaroni, did you see the final score of the game?
-
Holy macaroni! That was the best concert I've ever been to.
-
Holy macaroni! I can't believe how much it has snowed this winter.
-
Holy macaroni, look at those fireworks lighting up the sky!
-
Holy macaroni, I never thought I would see you here!
Synonyms
∞
8.9
An angry or surprised question showing you do not believe something
265
7.0
To show surprise, shock or disbelief in a mild, polite way
169
9.9
A strong phrase people say when they are very surprised or shocked
147
8.9
A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance
112
9.9
A short phrase people say to show surprise or confusion
86
8.2
An exclamation that shows strong surprise or shock
80
2.6
Words people say when they are surprised to see something
35
9.6
To say when you are very surprised or shocked
29
7.6
A short phrase people say to show surprise or disbelief
14
8.2
A short cry to show strong surprise or admiration
11
7.5
A short phrase people say to show surprise or shock
6
7.7
A short phrase people say to show surprise, shock, or admiration
3
9.6
A short surprised phrase people say when they are shocked
2
9.7
Words people say to show very strong surprise or shock
1
9.9
A short phrase showing surprise or disbelief
1
9.9
A short shout that shows surprise or shock
1
9.9
A strong spoken reaction showing surprise and disbelief
1
9.9
A short shocked cry showing disbelief about something ridiculous
1
9.9
A strong cry showing surprise or shock
1
9.9
A short phrase people say to show surprise at something amazing
1
9.9
A short phrase people say when they feel surprised or do not believe something
1
9.9
A short cry showing surprise or shock
A short shout to show surprise or amazement
A word people say to show strong surprise
A short phrase people say to show surprise or frustration instead of using a religious name
A short phrase showing mild surprise or worry said in a playful way
How Surprised
- Informal
1
9.6
- Informal
3
9.6
- Informal
∞
1.0
- Informal
265
7.0
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
holy + macaroni
The phrase is a playful minced oath where the literal meanings of 'holy' (sacred) and 'macaroni' (pasta) do not compose to give 'express surprise.' However, 'holy' frequently functions as an exclamative/intensifier in expressions (e.g. 'holy cow'), so a learner who knows that usage may infer it's an exclamation; the arbitrary choice of 'macaroni' makes the full meaning only partially predictable.
Etymology
Holy macaroni is a playful way to show 'surprise'. One popular story says people changed the older saying holy mackerel to the silly word macaroni, so the phrase keeps the idea of 'surprise' while sounding funny and harmless.