Definition

Noun: A person, especially a member of a Christian religious group, who expresses religious feelings with intense, unrestrained, and often emotional fervor, sometimes involving physical movements like shaking, shouting, or rolling on the ground.

Usage

The term "holy roller" is typically used as a noun to label an individual. It often carries a critical or mocking tone, describing someone whose public display of religious enthusiasm is perceived as excessive or fanatical by the observer. - The street preacher was dismissed by some passersby as just another holy roller. - Their worship service was so loud and energetic that the neighbors complained, calling them a bunch of holy rollers.

Advanced Usage

• The term originated in the early 20th century, associated with Pentecostal and revivalist movements where ecstatic behavior was part of worship.
• It can be used more broadly, though often pejoratively, to describe anyone perceived as an overly zealous or rigidly devout person in any belief system.
  • He turned into a real holy roller about his new diet, preaching its benefits to everyone he met.

Variants and Related Words

• Holy Rollerism (n, rare): The practices or beliefs characteristic of holy rollers.
• Roll (v): In this specific religious context, to move or writhe on the ground under intense religious emotion, which is the origin of the term "roller."

Synonyms

• Zealot: A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals.
• Fanatic: A person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal.
• Devotee: A person who is very interested in and enthusiastic about someone or something (less pejorative, but can imply strong dedication).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To get religion: An idiom meaning to suddenly become very religious or fervent about a cause, which can sometimes be used in a similar, slightly skeptical context.
  • After his health scare, he really got religion about exercise and became a bit of a holy roller about it.

Noun

1. a member of a religion that expresses ecstatic fervor