Posted by Lewis on February 07, 2003
In Reply to: Re: Meaning /origin posted by Jamie on February 06, 2003
: : : half - pregnant
: : : answer to a maiden's prayer
: : Meanings at least.
: : Half-pregnant. An impossible state to be in, because (obviously) it's a black or white deal, all or nothing. Often used to refer to someone who's trying to sit on the fence when it's impossible to do so - "you can't be half-pregnant, you know."
: There is also the similar sounding "partially pregnant" which refers to the process of getting someone hooked on something: e.g. giving away a useful piece of software for free then, when people find it indispensible, insist they start paying for it. I first heard the term from an ex-IBMer.
"Maiden's prayer" - excuse me, but that was the daughter of Bill Clinton of "I like to splash out on my girlfriends" fame? A "maiden"? Not wishing to slur an unknown woman, one senses that a degree of artistic-licence may perhaps be being applied - unless the act of being on one's knees "praying" is more subtle than I gave credit for!