Re: Bundle of joy

Posted by ESC on October 22, 2005

In Reply to: Re: Bundle of joy posted by David FG on October 22, 2005

: : : : What is the origin/likely derivation of "bundle of joy", referring to a baby (born or yet-to-be-born)? On the simpler, more innocent side, it could be merely from "bundle" as a "package" and "joy" as "happiness". On the more complex, less innocent side, it could be related to the use of "bundle" to refer to a woman, especially a fat one, and/or to "bundle" or "bundling" as in the old courtship ritual. Nothing in OED about this.

: : : I vote for innocence.

: : I vote similarly. Because babies are often swaddled in blankets when out of bed, they look like bundles.

: I too vote for innocence. We are sometimes in danger of making things too complicated when in fact the obvious answer is the correct one.

: DFG

On the Roseanne television show, babies were described as "life-sucking little poop machines." I prefer "bundle of joy."