I meant thanks to all of you

Posted by Miri Barak on March 05, 2003

In Reply to: I have several theories posted by Miri Barak on March 05, 2003

: : : : : : : I translate part of a movie (tomb raider) and I have to translate into Hebrew the expression "holy ****". that is why I want to understand the exact meaning of it and of course in the right context:
: : : : : : : It's when Lara gets a letter from her dead father and Bryce says: "Blimey" and Hillary says: "Holy shh..."

: : : : : : : To me it sounds like surprise, or amazement.
: : : : : : : Thank you

: : : : : : Yes, it is an expression of surprise and amazement. The news is shocking. But there is a comic element in my opinion. A person wouldn't say "Holy sh*t!" about something tragic. A similar expression would be "Wow!"

: : : : : "Blimey" is a very British expression of amazement. "Holy s***" is--I suspect but do not know--a very American expression of amazement. This may make a difference to your translation.

: : : : The British English equivalent of "holy ****" would probably be "bloody hell".

: : : : Choosing this particular expression of amazement in American English is probably meant to convey a certain coarseness or possibly street-wiseness in the the person speaking. This sort of street-wise banter has been considered increasingly more admirable since the 1950's because it gives the person speaking and air of authenticity. This is not necessarily a good thing in my opinion.

: : : : I have heard people of all classes in the UK swearing with gusto and panache. It's more wide spread than it is in the US - as I have discovered to my cost - but it is seldom crude and often used with an element of self mockery.

: : : I am away from my library but I'll do some research this evening on the evolution of "Holy sh*t!" I figure some people would find the "holy" as offensive as the "sh*t". Variations: Holy moly. Holy smokes. Holy crap.

: : I freely admit these are wild guesses - wild and crazy guesses, even...

: : 1)A substitution for 'damned', as in the way some people shout "God bless it!" when they hammer their thumbs.

: : 2) Far more whimsically, Robin of the caped crusaiders "Holy phrase origins, Batman!"

: : 3)One product of the Holy cow

: Thank you so much
: I always find your answers so helpful and also amusing
: Miri

• Holy phrases!! ESC 03/06/03
  • Holy phrases!! Miri Barak 03/07/03