Slang phrase up the creek "in trouble," often esp. "pregnant," first
recorded 1941, perhaps originally armed forces slang for "lost while on
patrol." - found on and copied from
http://www.etymonline.com/c10etym.htm
But disappointed not to have found it on
http://www.worldwidewords.org/index.php which is a favourite site!
Isobel
Isobel J R Thompson
Standards Policy Adviser
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
16 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AA
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F 020 7273 1404
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-----Original Message-----
From: A general Library and Information Science list for news and
discussion. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Andy Barrow
Sent: 16 July 2004 16:23
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Origin of 'Up a/the creek...'
Comrdaes!
Does anyone know of the origin of the phrase 'Up a/the
creek...'. Not in 'Brewer' and nothing I can find on t'Internet.
Andy
____________________________________
Andrew Barrow
Assistant Librarian (Academic Liaison)
Frewen Library
University of Portsmouth
PORTSMOUTH
PO1 2ST
Tel: (023) 92843236 / Fax: (023) 92843233
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