Holy Cow

[great lover]

Where did the expression "Holy Cow" come from?

 

[Cattypuss]

I dunno, but in London there is an Indian food place called "Holy Cow", which has always tickled me.

http://www.holycowfineindianfood.com/

 

[great lover]

I dunno, but near where I used to live in London a few years ago there was an Indian Takeaway (curry takeout) called "Holy Cow!", which always tickled me.

As far as I know, Indian curry houses don't serve beef!
*grins*

Where did you move from London?

 

[Cattypuss]

No, they serve mutton or lamb - but I think the reference is to the special place occupied by cows in HInduism.

I moved elsewhere in the UK

 

[great lover]

No, they serve mutton or lamb - but I think the reference is to the special place occupied by cows in HInduism.

I moved elsewhere in the UK

I looked at the link you posted.
It doesn't say London. It says "Battersea, Kilburn, Balham and Putney"

Are these the names of London suburbs?

 

[Cattypuss]

Yes, they are. Or rather, parts of London itself - they are reasonably central.

Lookee here -

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Etymology-Meaning-Words-1474/Holy-Cow.htm

 

[great lover]

Yes, they are. Or rather, parts of London itself - they are reasonably central.

Lookee here -

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Etymology-Meaning-Words-1474/Holy-Cow.htm

Thanks for the link! Are you Carol Pozefsky?

 

[Cattypuss]

Yes, I am.

 

[great lover]

Yes, I am.

Thank you Carol!

 

[Cattypuss]

Please, think nothing of it.

 

[subwannabe]

I always thought that the expression came from sportcasters. I believe Harry Carry a Chicago Cubs baseball sportscaster started the expression which was also used regularly by Phil Rizzuto of the New York Yankees. My world will be shattered if I find out it originated somewhere else.

 

[great lover]

I always thought that the expression came from sportcasters. I believe Harry Carry a Chicago Cubs baseball sportscaster started the expression which was also used regularly by Phil Rizzuto of the New York Yankees. My world will be shattered if I find out it originated somewhere else.

I used to believe it came from Batman.

*think adam west*

 

[fire_breeze]

According to several sources, the origins are disputed. While some suggests that the origins stems from the Hindu belief of reincarnation, and their reverence of cows, others trace the origins back to the story from Exodus of the golden calf or the "Holy Cow."

According to Dictionary of American Slang from 1960:

Holy Buckets!" Equiv. to "Holy cats!" or "Holy Mike!" both being euphemisms for "Holy Christ!". This term is considered to be very popular among teenagers, and most teens claim it is definitely a very popular phrase. It is also the common oath and popular exclamation put into the mouths of teenagers by many screenwriters, and, is universally heard on radio, television, and in the 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.

But then again, Paul Beale, who revised A Dictionary of Catch Phrases: British and American, from the Sixteenth Century to the Present Day in 1985 claims another origin:

The original 'Captain Marvel' and 'Batman' oaths, 'holy (something harmless),' were in turn spoofed in the later 20th century 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.

So it's disputed, like all expressions.

 

[great lover]

According to several sources, the origins are disputed. While some suggests that the origins stems from the Hindu belief of reincarnation, and their reverence of cows, others trace the origins back to the story from Exodus of the golden calf or the "Holy Cow."

According to Dictionary of American Slang from 1960:


But then again, Paul Beale, who revised A Dictionary of Catch Phrases: British and American, from the Sixteenth Century to the Present Day in 1985 claims another origin:



So it's disputed, like all expressions.

So I ain't a nutcase.

 

[fire_breeze]

So I ain't a nutcase.

That, I wouldn't be able to answer

 

[JohnMBrowning]

"Cubs win! Cubs win! Cubs win!"

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I doubt it originated with him, but this was indeed the trademark catch-phrase of the beloved Harry Caray, who finished his career as the anouncer for the Cubs on WGN, but before that was the announcer for the White Sox, and began in St. Louis.

In 1979 Harry was with the Sox for the infamous "Disco Demolition Night" promotion. Bill Veeck was the Sox manager then, another classic and beloved baseball character, who as manager of the then-St. Louis Browns perpetrated one of the most famous baseball stunts in 1951, sending midget Eddie Gaebel to the plate as a batter, wearing elf slippers and the number, "1/8." Eddie was walked with four pitches, and ended his "career" right there, replaced by a pinch runner at 1st.

Bill Veeck and Harry Caray - Holy Cow! Those were the days. Harry was a noted bon-vivant whose "Harry Caray's" restaurant is still a popular near-north attraction.

 

[JohnMBrowning]

"Cubs win! Cubs win! Cubs win!"

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I doubt it originated with him, but this was indeed the trademark catch-phrase of the beloved Harry Caray, who finished his career as the anouncer for the Cubs on WGN, but before that was the announcer for the White Sox, and began in St. Louis.

In 1979 Harry was with the Sox for the infamous "Disco Demolition Night" promotion. Bill Veeck was the Sox manager then, another classic and beloved baseball character, who as manager of the then-St. Louis Browns perpetrated one of the most famous baseball stunts in 1951, sending Midget Eddie Gaebel to the plate as a batter, wearing elf slippers and the number, "1/8." Eddie was walked with four pitches, and ended his "career" right there, replaced by a pinch runner at 1st.

Bill Veeck and Harry Caray - Holy Cow! Those were the days. Harry was a noted bon-vivant whose "Harry Caray's" restaurant is still a popular near-north attraction in Chi-town.

 

[CWatson]

This is why I've started just chopping statements up and sticking the wrong pieces back together. "Holy Cowmoley!"

...I'm weird, aren't I.

 

[vrosej10]

Where did the expression "Holy Cow" come from?

Indian at a guess. They consider cows holy.