Phrase of the day 12/7

3 years ago

Holy Toledo

This common exclamation of surprise refers to Toledo, Spain, which became one the great centers of Christian culture after its liberation from the Moors in 1085. Its 13th-century Gothic cathedral, one of the largest in Europe, was the seat of the Cardinal Archbishop of Spain for many years.

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Comments (11)

Lars
3 years ago
I don't think I've ever heard anyone use that phrase, unless it was Robin saying it to Batman. How common is its use? It might be regional.
bpath
3 years ago
Klinger said it on MASH.
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Rusty
3 years ago
Interesting. I used to hear it when I was a kid, but that was in another part of the country, so maybe regional is right.

Rusty
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
3 years ago
“Common” exclamation? Can’t say I’ve ever heard it either.
blfenton
3 years ago
I've heard it but way back in my childhood. I'm going to try it on my kids just for the reaction. It'll give them one more excuse to use the rolly-eye thing on me as I have on them.
murraysmom Zone 6a OH
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
We always said this as kids. I believe Klinger was from Toledo, OH, wasn't he? I didn't know it was about Toledo, Spain. I didn't even know there was a Toledo, Spain. I guess that's because I'm from/in Ohio.
chisue
3 years ago
I remember this. Didn't know the back story, though.
matthias_lang
3 years ago
I used to hear the expression a lot, I guess in the '60s.

Holy Hanna and holy smokes, too.

Holy moly came later, maybe in the '70s or '80s. Holy moly guacamole was defintely '80s. That last one was used by my friend who also liked to say good-bye with hasta la pasta, which would make our Guatemalan friend laugh every time.
foggyj2
3 years ago
I'm from Toledo, Ohio. I heard people say it, when I was a kid. Never knew why.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
3 years ago
Just asked family and nobody’s heard this expression. Curious that if it’s supposed to be derived from a European city it’s common in the USA but not here. When I hear the word Toledo I think first of a Spanish city, then Toledo steel (for swords), then a Christian vs Muslim battle in the Middle Ages (hence the ‘holy’) and then I remember there’s a place in Ohio.
dedtired
3 years ago
I’ve heard of this expression but never heard anyone say it. I’ve been to that cathedral inSpain. Wish I had thought Tom say that!