Cool MateHoly shit vs My god
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Holy shit
SlangTop 2,000 (common)
My god
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: My god
| Holy shit | My god | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈhəʊli ʃɪt//🇺🇸 //ˈhoʊli ʃɪt// | 🇬🇧 //maɪ ɡɒd//🇺🇸 //maɪ ɡɑd// |
| Meaning | A strong expression of surprise or shock. | An expression of surprise or disbelief. |
| Example | Holy shit! I can't believe we won the lottery! | My god, I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by! |
| Register | Slang | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | holy shit moment, say holy shit, holy shit reaction | my god, look, my god, why, my god, what |
| Common mistakes | Used in formal settings where it sounds inappropriate., Confused with other exclamatory phrases., Overused, which can lessen its impact. | Used too seriously; it's often just an expression., Confused with 'Oh my God!', which is more emphatic., Not capitalizing 'God' can be seen as disrespectful in some contexts. |
| Usage notes | Used informally, often in casual conversations. Not appropriate in formal situations or written language. | Used mainly in informal contexts to express strong feelings, sometimes can be considered blasphemous depending on the audience. |
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Frequently asked questions: Holy shit vs My god
What's the difference between Holy shit and My god?
Holy shit: A strong expression of surprise or shock. My god: An expression of surprise or disbelief.
Which is more formal: Holy shit and My god?
My god is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Holy shit: Holy shit! I can't believe we won the lottery! My god: My god, I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by!
Can I use Holy shit and My god interchangeably?
Not always. Holy shit and My god are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.