Knocking for 9 months

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.

• Knock, Knocking shop Word Camel 02/20/02
  • Knock, Knocking shop masakim 02/20/02
  • Knock, Knocking shop Bob 02/20/02
    • Knock, Knocking shop Gary 02/20/02
      • Knocked up R. Berg 02/20/02
        • Knock ESC 02/21/02
          • Knock Bob 02/21/02
            • Knock ESC 02/21/02
              • Knock Valerie 05/02/02
              • Knockers The Fallen 02/21/02
                • Knockers: When does it date from? Word Camel 02/21/02
                  • Knockers ESC 02/22/02
                    • Knockers One Track Minds 02/22/02
                      • Knockers Oedipus wrecks 02/22/02
                        • Knockers One Track Fallen 02/22/02
                    • When it dates from R. Berg 02/22/02
                      • Different origin? Word Camel 02/22/02
                        • Two by two R. Berg 02/22/02
                          • Ce n'est pas un heurtoir Relentless Camel 02/22/02
                            • Research The Fallen 02/22/02
                              • Motion or sound? Word Camel 02/22/02
                                • Motion or sound? The Fallen 02/22/02
                                  • motion or sound? Bob 02/22/02