holy roller
UK /ˌhəʊ̯.liː ˈɹəʊ̯.lə/ · US /ˌhoʊ̯.li ˈɹoʊ̯.ləɹ/ noun
Forms holy rollers
- noun (usually derogatory) A member of any Christian church characterized by ecstatic behaviour; especially of the Pentecostal Church. “I attended a worship service where I was astounded to see holy rollers convulsing on the floor and speaking in tongues.”
- noun (derogatory) A devoutly religious Christian person. “She's such a holy roller that she steers every conversation around to the joys of religion.”
Synonyms
Etymology
From the practice of some devout Pentecostals who would roll on the floor of the church in response to the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Sources: Wiktionary — from the Wiktionary entry “holy roller”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details