Holy Mary
Irish informal term for someone who is excessively, almost ostentatiously pious — the kind of person who attends every church service, quotes scripture in casual conversation, and judges others' moral choices from a great height.
Definitions
Irish informal term for someone who is excessively, almost ostentatiously pious — the kind of person who attends every church service, quotes scripture in casual conversation, and judges others' moral choices from a great height. 'Holy Mary' has a definite critical edge to it; it's not a compliment. It suggests performative religiosity rather than genuine faith. The phrase is deeply embedded in Irish Catholic culture, where suspicion of over-the-top holiness is practically a social tradition.
Don't invite her — she's a bit of a Holy Mary and will spend the whole night disapproving of everyone.
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(Ireland, informal) One who is extremely pious.
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(informal, sometimes pejorative) A man who is sanctimonious, or at least heavily religious, also one who is extremely pious.