Holy Mackerel

Posted by Smokey Stover on June 22, 2005

In Reply to: Holy Mackerel posted by Steve on June 20, 2005

: What is the origin of the phrase (or exclamation) "Holy Mackerel"
Inasmuch as almost all "innocent" interjections starting with the word "Holy" are euphemisms designed to avoid blasphemy, or to avoid giving offence to those of delicate sensibilities, one would naturally start looking for some potentionally blasphemous word or words beginning with M, blasphemous because taking the name of the Lord or some other holy name in vain. One such name would be Mary, Mother of God. SS