Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US) a euph. for SE hell.

1908

191019201930194019501960197019801990

1993

1908		W.G. Davenport Butte and Montana 28: I can...give them hallelujah [HDAS].
1950		WELS.
1959		(con. c.1910) G. Duffy Warden’s Wife 9: If Warden Edgar catches us in his garden we’ll get holy hallelujah.
1969		in DARE.
1993		R. Tomedi No Bugles, No Drums 100: We’d beat the hallelujah out of them.

2. (UK tramp) a Salvation Army hostel for the homeless.

1933

1933

M. Marshall Tramp-Royal on the Toby 151: Through from the above Hallelujah shelter [...] is the cheapest kip in London.

3. (US) a pious individual.

1975

1975

E. Torres Carlito’s Way 17: That was home base, the church. Kids used to call me a ‘hallelujah’ —break my chops.