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in the family way,

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fine,thanks | 16:05 Sat 26th May 2007 | Phrases & Sayings
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ie pregnant, ? where did this saying come from ? thanks
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Avatar Image Quizmonster
The phrase has been used in this sense since the 1700s, so it has quite a long history. Presumably the idea behind it was the fact that - whilst pregnant - the woman concerned was "on her way" to adding to her family.
17:00 Sat 26th May 2007
Avatar Image VS Prasad
Pregnant, as in "Mary's in the family way again". This euphemistic expression dates from the late 1700s.
The meaning is similar to "a bun in the oven".

http://www.bartleby.com/61/88/F0028800.html



11:29 Mon 06th Aug 2007

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in the family way,

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