Posted by The Fallen on February 20, 2002
In Reply to: Knocking for 9 months posted by emily dornbos on February 20, 2002
: The question came up in conversation late one night, enough said....
: Where does the phrase 'she got knocked up' come from?
Excellent question. I could have sworn blind that this was London slang, because it's in such widespread usage over here, but a little research assures me that it's US-based. I have no clue how or why it originated, though.
As a side note, it's an interesting little phrase, and typical of the subtle complexities of English. Those two little words have at least four quite different meanings, as follows:-
a) To arouse or awaken. "Knock me up at 6:30."
b)
To create or cook hastily. "I knocked up bacon and eggs."
c) To score at sport.
"The captain knocked up a quick 30."
d) To impregnate. "She got knocked up
last year."
There are probably others. Never let it be said that English is an easy language to learn.