Taking it up

Posted by David FG on March 08, 2010 at 07:14

In Reply to: Taking it up posted by John Woodsworth on March 07, 2010 at 20:00:

: Is anyone familiar with the phrase "taking it up" - in reference to transferring food from pots and pans to plates? That was what my mother always said ("I'm taking it up now") to let us know that supper was ready (but I have not heard it since). She lived in both Britain (London) and Canada (mainly Vancouver) -- it might have come from either place.

I imagine it comes from the days when, in large houses, kitchens were 'below stairs' and the servants, having prepared the meal, would be required to 'take it up' the stairs to the employing family.

DFG