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Aug 21, 2010 · The first recorded instance in the OED of holy smoke is from 1892 in the book Naulahka by Kipling and Balestier. It was used again in 1920 in Bulldog Drummond by Sapper. The first link should take here. The first link actually says "by the holy smoke", so it's not quite the same thing.
Apr 19, 2005 · The Oxford English Dictionary records the earliest print sighting of "holy smoke" as found in "The Epiphany," a 1627 poem by Sir J. Beaumont: "Who lift to God for vs the holy smoke Of feruent pray ...
Feb 15, 2012 · Incense is a sacramental used to venerate, bless, and sanctify. Its smoke conveys a sense of mystery and awe. It is a reminder of the sweet-smelling presence of our Lord. Its use adds a feeling of solemnity to the Mass. The visual imagery of the smoke and the smell reinforce the transcendence of the Mass linking Heaven with Earth, allowing us ...
Feb 5, 2024 · Laura Metz. “Holy smoke” was a term used to refer to the smoke that arose from religious sacrifices or incense until the nineteenth century. Since that time, however, the phrase has been used almost exclusively as an expression of surprise, similar to the word, "wow." Although this phrase may have been adapted from its earlier use as a mild ...
- Laura Metz
Nov 24, 2023 · The word "holy" has been used with other words as exclamations since the 1700s. For example, "holy cow" was used to express surprise. And people used phrases like "Holy Willie" to talk about someone pretending to be very religious. The first known use of "holy smoke" was in 1892 in a book called "The Naulahka."
The meaning of HOLY SMOKE is —used to say that one is very surprised, pleased, or excited. How to use holy smoke in a sentence.
Holy smoke Origin and History - American exclamation of surprise dates from the late 19th century with possible allusion to incense. Holy smoke Meanings and origins of thousands of idioms, curious words, and slang.
