in the family way

in the family way
   pregnant
   Probably an alteration of in the way of having a family, although the phrase is only used of the mother, with a suggestion usually that the pregnancy was unplanned. Also formerly as in the increasing way or in that way:
    But she's not so fucking happy when she's in the family way. (Manning, 1977)
    Both James's Anna and Edward's Elizabeth were already 'in the increasing way' as Eliza put it. (Tomalin, 1997, quoting from a letter of Jane Austen dated 5 January 1801)
    Mrs Clement too is in that way again. I am quite tired of so many children. (ibid. — letter dated 13 March 1817)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • In the family way — Way Way, n. [OE. wey, way, AS. weg; akin to OS., D., OHG., & G. weg, Icel. vegr, Sw. v[ a]g, Dan. vei, Goth. wigs, L. via, and AS. wegan to move, L. vehere to carry, Skr. vah. [root]136. Cf. {Convex}, {Inveigh}, {Vehicle}, {Vex}, {Via}, {Voyage} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • In the family way — Family Fam i*ly, n.; pl. {Families}. [L. familia, fr. famulus servant; akin to Oscan famel servant, cf. faamat he dwells, Skr. dh[=a]man house, fr. dh[=a]to set, make, do: cf. F. famille. Cf. {Do}, v. t., {Doom}, {Fact}, {Feat}.] 1. The… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • In a family way — Family Fam i*ly, n.; pl. {Families}. [L. familia, fr. famulus servant; akin to Oscan famel servant, cf. faamat he dwells, Skr. dh[=a]man house, fr. dh[=a]to set, make, do: cf. F. famille. Cf. {Do}, v. t., {Doom}, {Fact}, {Feat}.] 1. The… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • in a family way — or[in the family way] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Going to have a baby. * /Sue and Liz are happy because their mother is in the family way./ * /The Ferguson children are promising kittens to everyone because their cat is in a family way./ Compare:… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • in a family way — or[in the family way] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Going to have a baby. * /Sue and Liz are happy because their mother is in the family way./ * /The Ferguson children are promising kittens to everyone because their cat is in a family way./ Compare:… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • The Family-Ness — Infobox Television show name = The Family Ness caption = format = Animated series camera = picture format = runtime = 5 mins creator = Peter Maddocks developer = executive producer = Maddocks Animation starring = Peter Hawkins Susan Sheridan… …   Wikipedia

  • family way — noun Date: 1796 condition of being pregnant used with in and the or a < she is in a family way > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Broadway the Hard Way — Infobox Album Name = Broadway the Hard Way Type = Live album Artist = Frank Zappa Released = October 14, 1988 (LP) May 25, 1989 (CD) Recorded = February – June, 1988 Genre = Hard rock, progressive rock, art rock, jazz fusion Length = 71:03 (CD)… …   Wikipedia

  • Six the Hard Way — Infobox Album | Name = Six the Hard Way Type = EP Artist = Suicidal Tendencies Released = November 17, 1998 Recorded = Ocean Studios Skip Saylor Live in France Genre = Hardcore punk Length = 20:19 Label = Suicidal Records Producer = Paul… …   Wikipedia

  • Sly & the Family Stone — Infobox musical artist 2 Name = Sly the Family Stone Background = group or band Img capt=Sly the Family Stone in 1969. Clockwise from top: Larry Graham, Freddie Stone, Gregg Errico, Sly Stone, Rose Stone, Cynthia Robinson, and Jerry Martini. A… …   Wikipedia

  • All in the Family — infobox television show name = All in the Family caption = The title screen as seen in the opening credits format = Sitcom runtime = 30 minutes location = CBS Television City, 7800 Beverly Boulevard [http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en um=1 ie=UTF 8 …   Wikipedia

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