"knock up" --usage

[Lal Zimman]

On Sep 19, 2005, at 7:46 PM, Baker, John wrote:

>         I would say that it was mildly offensive and inappropriate,
> but
> not a hanging offense.  Although the phrase usually refers to an
> unwanted pregnancy out of wedlock, it has been ameliorated in recent
> years and now is used not infrequently to refer to pregnancy in
> wedlock.
> The first listing on Google for "knocked up" is for a Salon article
> entitled "'So, why aren't you knocked up yet?' Since I got married,
> everyone and their mailman has asked me this question."  IIRC, the
> movie
> Mystic Pizza (1988) included the line "I've only been married two
> hours
> and she wants me to get knocked up."

Notice though that in both cases it's a woman complaining about
others wanting them to be pregnant, which they (apparently) don't
want themselves, so there's still some sort of negativity in the
message. I think most speakers wouldn't generally use the word to
refer to a situation in which the pregnancy is considered a joyous
occasion by all.


-Lal