"pop the question", 1722; antedates 1725

[Joel S. Berson]

"I should be very glad to know your Sentiments whether it would be
improper for the Lady to pop the Question first: If you give it by a
negative Answer and it has any good Effect, Upon Honour, I will give
you a Pair of the best Gloves the Town affords, besides a Piece of
Plumb-Cake at my Wedding."

[The male writer is too bashful to tell the lady he loves her, and
although he believes she loves him her feminine modesty prevents her
from saying so first.]

New England Courant, 1722 April 9, 1/2.  By Mr. Gardner (according to
Ben Franklin).

Antedates OED3 (Dec. 2006) "pop, v.1" sense 4.a (for "to propose
marriage") 1725--.

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org