Why do people use the phrase "fall pregnant"?

Question

It's not as if women just accidentally fall on top of a waiting gentleman's doodah, is it?

My granny always told me that getting pregnant had something to do with sexual relations, but I could never work out which of my aunties was the sexual one.

Answer 1

historically "Fall" itself suggested that the girl concerned may not have been entirely in control of her destiny

The meaning of the term, however, has altered greatly since the advent of the welfare state. Girls or women now "fall pregnant" in much the same way that any of us "falls" ill. Unlike in the past, there is no badge of shame. Indeed, in its apparently blithe statement of fact, there is the purpose of distancing the faller as far as possible from shame, or indeed from the act of conception, as possible. There is an attempt to create a casual impression of randomness, or of an act of God. Just as one might be sitting on a train, or in the audience at a cinema, or queueing up in a shop, and be visited by the germs for a common cold or flu, so one might just as accidentally be visited by pregnancy

Answer 2

although some will say i am whacked with this answer...here goes

"fall pregnant" some say it is the ability to get preg. very easy
others state for a child to either be conceived in the fall or delivered in the fall ...reason being that "back in the day" when a child was a fall / winter baby the chances of the child living was less because of the harsh outside ( of the womb) temperatures and the fact that the newborn has not experienced this before and if the child does live they will be of an iron constitution.

Answer 3

Nothing sinister folks, people also` fall ill`, `fall for the five card trick`, `fall for a pretty face`, fall to a slower ball, fall for an old wives tale, fall for a salesman`s spiel, a practical joke, fall pregnant, fall in love. It is certainly a more pleasant description than some I could mention.

Answer 4

I think it's you're Auntie Margaret. But don't quote me on that - your Auntie Diane has a bit of a reputation as well.

Answer 5

believe it or not to 'fall pregnant' comes (lol) from fallopian tubes
the egg 'falls' through to the womb where it becomes fertilised.

probably

maybe anyway.


Ah hell, i don't care! Merry Christmas evryone!!

Answer 6

fall is another expression for get ,as in tha Dane Saxon duo meanings another example is sick and ill

Answer 7

Nice one!!

I bet it's got something to do with "original sin" and "falling from grace".

Mind you, we fall ill, as well.

Answer 8

its an expression that is most used over in europe....just like the terms "nappie" and "dummie" (which over here in the states we call diapers and pacifier)

Answer 9

i agree, i do not understand why people say fall pregnant, in fact, i think it sounds ridiculous.

Answer 10

because they fall on the floor and get pregnant lol