10 Words Popularised By Comics

Anyone who's read Shazam knows his mortal counterpart, Billy Batson, regularly blurts out the phrase, "Holy moly!" (It was literally his first line in the movie adaption.) The World's Mightiest Mortal often says "Holy moly" (originally spelt "holy moley") when he's in shock or in danger.

The expression dates back to 1892 book, "Holy moly" but didn't become ubiquitous until it was incorporated into Shazam's stories. Despite the fact this word has been around for over a hundred years, no one is sure what it originally meant. Etymologists theorise it was coined to serve as a substitute for the phrase, "Holy Moses", which some considered blasphemous.

Now, giving a superhero a catchphrase isn't anything new. All the best superheroes do it. "Up, up, and away." "Hulk smash." "My spider-sense is tingling."

However, all those expressions are synonymous with those heroes. You can't hear "Up, up and away," without thinking of Supes. The difference with "holy moly" is that it has become so universal, it's no longer interchangeable with the former Captain Marvel. Many people say "Holy moly" even if they've never heard of Shazam.