Talk:fall pregnant

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Latest comment: 3 years ago by PUC in topic Etymology scriptorium convo
Jump to navigation Jump to search

How words fall pregnant with the possibility of being twisted

[edit]

What meaning of pregnant is used in the link in the usage note? How words fall pregnant with the possibility of being twisted --Backinstadiums (talk) 20:30, 22 October 2019 (UTC)Reply

It's fairly obvious (IMO?) metaphorical use. Normal pregnancy is where you create something (a child): see the figurative senses at pregnant, e.g. "having numerous possibilities or implications; full of promise". So these words develop a potential, or form or create an opportunity, to be twisted. Equinox 19:35, 27 October 2019 (UTC)Reply
(By all means add a figurative sense if you want!) Equinox 19:48, 27 October 2019 (UTC)Reply

Etymology scriptorium convo

[edit]