I just spoke to a friend who's newly pregnant, and I heard myself
using the phrase "with child." Seems an interesting locution. Unknown
in latin languages--the French are full when pregnant (and satisfied
after a meal), for instance. I don't think we use the turn of phrase
for anything else. If I've put down a payment on a car nobody says
I'm "with Volvo" (interesting word association, that), and if I've
committed to adopting a puppy I'm not "with dog." For that matter, if
I've adopted and expect the child to arrive on my door at any moment
I'm not "with child," either, so it describes a physical condition,
but not, say, a tumor or a cold. And I think it only applies to
humans. Is a horse "with foal"? a goat "with kid?" or a fish "with sprat"?
There may be some wisdom here, but damned if I can spot it.
Mark
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