Common questions

Where did the phrase pregnant pause come from?

Where did the phrase pregnant pause come from?

Using the word ‘pregnant’ as ‘full of meaning’ goes back to the 15th Century. A pregnant pause is a silence full of potential in the way a pregnant body is full of a new human being. A pregnant pause leaves the listener full of anticipation, just like a pregnancy is full of excitement about the forthcoming baby.

Why is it a pregnant pause?

This funded initiative encourages Australians to go alcohol-free during their pregnancy or the pregnancy of loved ones. It helps mums-to-be build a strong support system. It also raises awareness of the serious effects of alcohol during pregnancy.

Is pregnant pause an idiom?

A long pause in speech that indicates a lot of meaning or significance. There was a pregnant pause when the topic changed to Grandpa’s will, and everyone could tell that something shocking was about to be revealed. The most telling part of his speech was the pregnant pause before he denied any wrongdoing.

Who invented the word pregnant?

Etymology 1 From Middle English preignant, from Old French preignant, pregnant, also prenant (compare archaic Modern French prégnant), and their source, Latin praegnāns (“pregnant”), probably from prae- (“pre-”) + gnascī (“to be born”).

What is a pregnant pause called?

A pregnant pause (as in the classical definition, “many possibilities”) is a technique of comic timing used to accentuate a comedy element, where the comic pauses at the end of a phrase to build up suspense.

Where did the word pause come from?

Pause which rhymes with laws and cause, comes from the Greek word pausis, “stopping, ceasing,” which comes from pauein “to stop, to cause to cease.” Why don’t you pause and think about that for a moment.

What is a pregnant?

Pregnancy is the term used to describe the period in which a fetus develops inside a woman’s womb or uterus. Pregnancy usually lasts about 40 weeks, or just over 9 months, as measured from the last menstrual period to delivery. Health care providers refer to three segments of pregnancy, called trimesters.

When did pregnant become a word?

The Oxford English Dictionary gives examples of the word “pregnant” used with the sense of “full of meaning” beginning in the 15th century.

What does pregnant enceinte mean?

adjective. Carrying a developing fetus within the uterus: big, expectant, expecting, gravid, parturient, pregnant.

What does pregnant silence mean?

A long pause in speech that indicates a lot of meaning or significance. There was a pregnant silence when the topic changed to Grandpa’s will, and everyone could tell that something shocking was about to be revealed.

What does pause stand for?

PAUSE is an acronym for a cycle of five steps: Perceive, Ask, Understand, Strategize, and Evaluate (see Figure 3.1).

What does was with child mean?

phrase​old-fashioned. DEFINITIONS1. to be pregnant. Synonyms and related words.

What language is enceinte?

Enceinte, is a French term used technically in fortification for the inner ring of fortifications surrounding a town or a concentric castle.

Is Enceinte an English word?

noun, plural en·ceintes [en-seynts, en-sants; French ahn-sant]. a wall or enclosure, as of a fortified place.

What does the P stand for in pause?