1868. Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone, 1st Period, ch. xv. And, making a sudden snatch at the heap of silver, put it back, holus-bolus, in her pocket.
Holy. More holy than righteous, adv. phr. (common).—Said of a person in rags, or of a tattered garment.
Holy-boys, subs. (military).—The Ninth Foot. [From a trick of selling bibles for drink in the Peninsula.] Also, Fighting Ninth.
1886. Tinsley’s Magazine, Apr., 322. The 9th having bartered their Bibles in Spain for wine, and having there gained a reputation for sacking monasteries, were long known as the Holy Boys. [[335]]
Holy-father, subs. (Irish).—See quot.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Holy Father, A butcher’s boy of St. Patrick’s Market, Dublin, or other Irish blackguard; among whom the exclamation, or oath, by the Holy Father (meaning the Pope), is common.
Holy Iron. See Holy Poker.
Holy Joe, subs. phr. (colloquial).—A pious person, whether hypocritical or sincere. Also (nautical), a parson.
Holy Jumping Mother of Moses. See Moses.
Holy-lamb, subs. (old).—A thorough-paced villain.—Grose.