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Out of the woodwork

Posted by Smokey Stover on May 23, 2005

In Reply to: Out of the woodwork posted by David FG on May 22, 2005

: : : Does anyone know the meaning and/or origin of "out of the woodwork". Does the meaning or origin make it politically incorrect?

: : "Crawling out of the woodwork" refers to roaches.

:
: I would extend it to any verminous insect or other invertebrate - it is thus used of anyone or anything that is considered unpleasant. I am not aware that there is any political correctness issue.

: DFG

The concept is often used figuratively. "I won the lottery, and suddenly fifty relatives I never heard of come crawling out of the woodwork!" SS

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