Where does the expression "Holly cow!" come from?

Question

I heard this word a few days ago from Glenn Beck. I don't really like that guy, but I cannot get rid of that expression, so, it would be nice to know where does it come from. Do you use it?

sorry for the spelling mistake

Answer 1

One key to appreciating this expression (whatever its precise origin) is to appreciate that the use of "cow" is NOT meant terribly seriously, but as an odd or silly or at least harmless idea.

So for starters, let's not get confused -- the expression "Holy cow!" is NOT the equivalent of the idiom "sacred cow" (though I won't completely dismiss the notion that it might have some connection)
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/cow

Seeing that the key word starts with a C, it may well be that it began as a "minced oath", a milder substitute for "Holy Christ" (Such expressions frequently use a harmless or even meaningless substitute including some of the same sounds, esp BEGINNING with the same sounds -- cf. "Jeepers Creepers", "Jees", "Jiminy Cricket" and "Judas Priest" for "Jesus (Christ)"; also Gosh, darn, heck.... 'the dickens' for 'the devil', etc.)

One of a number of "holy ..." expressions - mild oaths or expletives. These are NOT ancient expressions; in fact, they are relatively recent, and very AMERICAN expressions.

For the date several of them are first attested in print:
"Holy smoke!, 1889; Holy cats!, Holy mackerel!, both 1803; Holy Moses!, 1906, Holy cow!, 1942."
From "I Hear America Talking" by Stuart Berg Flexner (Von Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1976). "
http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/22/messages/23.html

Of this whole group the American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms writes:
'Holy cow,' 'holy mackerel' or 'Moses' or 'moly' or 'smoke.' An exclamation of surprise, astonishment, delight, or dismay, as in Holy cow, I forgot the wine, or Holy mackerel, you won! or Holy Moses, here comes the teacher! or Holy smoke, I didn't know you were here too. The oldest of these slangy expletives uses mackerel, dating from about 1800; the one with 'Moses' dates from about 1850 and 'cow' from about 1920. None has any literal significance, and moly is a neologism devised to rhyme with “holy” and possibly a euphemism for “Moses.”
http://www.wordwizard.com/ch_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3735

Compare the following on "holy smoke" --
It seems more likely that holy smoke was invented anew as a mock-religious exclamation and mild oath on the model of the older holy Moses (from the 1850s), and holy terror and Holy Joe (both from the 1880s). In turn these probably served as the model for others of similar type that came later, such as holy cow from the early 1940s.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-hol1.htm

Note that date for the first printed attestaion of "holy cow!" (1942/early 1940s). This does not necessarily mean that was it's first use, but it apparently is much later than many of the others. But it DOES suggest that it might not be so closely connected with the 19th century forms. Rather it might be part of a wave of mid 20th century expressions of this type, esp in popular media (comic books, TV, movies). On these, note the following:

: : From the Dictionary of American Slang (1960):
"Holy cow!" . . . Equiv. to "Holy cats!" both being euphemisms for "Holy Christ!" . . .the common oath and popular exclam. put into the mouth of teenagers by all script writers ... universally heard on radio, television, and in movies. It was first popularized by the "Corliss Archer" series of short stories, television programs, and movies, which attempted to show the humorous, homey side of teenage life.

: : Paul Beale (1985), however, in revising Eric Partridge's "Dictionary of Catch Phrases American and British," cites a different origin:
The orig. 'Captain Marvel' and 'Batman' oaths, 'holy (something harmless),' were in turn spoofed in later C20 by whatever seemed relevant to the situation: Nigel Rees, in "Very Interesting . . . But Stupid: Catchphrases from the World of Entertainment," 1980, instances holy flypaper!, holy cow!, holy felony!, holy geography!, holy schizophrenia! holy haberdashery!, etc., and adds, 'The prefix 'holy' to any exclamation was particularly the province of Batman and [his boy assistant] Robin, characters created by Bob Kane and featured in best-selling comic books for over thirty years before they were portrayed by Adam West and Burt Ward in the TV film series.'
http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/22/messages/23.html

Since all of this was done as silliness. It's possible the notion was suggested by the Hindus "sacred cow", base on the idea that a cow itself is a rather silly thing to be regarded holy/sacred. At any rate, the idea seems to be that the word is supposed to refer to something harmless (which also applies if it was chosen as a substitute for "Christ").

One remotely possible parallel (my own idea) I will toss in:

The early 19th century expression 'holy mackerel' was apparently related to the expression 'mackerel-snappers', a mock term of derision used against Catholics immigrants. This was based on their eating fish on Friday -- why mackerels? It may be influenced by the fact that mackerels are very cheap [what these immigrants could afford] and not highly regarded. But the suggestion that "mackerel" was suggested by (the archangel) Michael seems very likely.
http://www.takeourword.com/TOW180/page2.html

Though it was originally derisive, there may again be the idea of silliness, viz, the notion that a fish (esp. the mackerel) is rather a silly thing to be regarded as holy.

Now, though they are not close in time, perhaps it's worth considering the possibility that "holy cow" had some derogatory notion behind it... an extension of the use of cow as an insulting term for a woman... regarded as fat, ugly, slovenly, contemptible or silly
http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/c.htm
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=cow
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Cow

Answer 2

It's actually 'Holy Cow'. There was a Sports Caster for the Chicago Cubs (Baseball) named Harry Carry - that was his catch phrase, especially when the Home Team hit a Home Run....basically it's like 'Oh, My God'.

Answer 3

I'm guessing it is relative to the middle eastern countries in which they worship cows.. i guess they call the cows holy and therefore someone along the line picked it up and used holy cow as an expression. a lot of expressions derive from past events

Answer 4

The Ancient Egyptians and Hindus revered the cow as a deity. It's no different from using God or Jesus as an expletive.

I'm sure I've used it a few times but I have other phrases I use more often instead.

Answer 5

Good question...
I know India has sacred cows, so maybe from there? The British colonized India, where you were unable to move a sacred cow, even if it was blocking a road. Could have become a swear? I really don't know. I'm just guessing.

Answer 6

The expression came from Harry Caray (a longtime Chicago Cubs announcer who's now departed and in Cubbie Heaven).

Answer 7

When Moses went up to get the ten commandments and when he got back the Children of Isreal were worshiping the golden calf. Its a bad thing to say if you don't worship a cow, which is very wrong.

Answer 8

Do you mean "Holy Cow"?

I guess a holly cow would be one of those California cows with a wreath of holly around their neck.

Answer 9

It is: "holy cow". Perhaps it comes from the fact that cows are sacred in India. Also they were sacred in ancient times in certain countries. It was the cow Hator

Answer 10

Holly Cow sounds like a drag queen name.

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