Today's BWOTD is a popular phrase:
"The whole place was chock-a-block"
'Chock-a-block' = closely packed together
This is nearly always used to describe a place or situation as being packed tight with things or people. It is believed the origin comes from our maritime history, and refers to when a block and tackle were jammed against each other to stop the load moving on a ship.
It also often abbreviated to just 'chocka'.
11 comments:
This is one I've adopted myself! And no real American equivalent. Hope all is well with you guys, when is your trip to Chitown?
I knew this one! Do I win something? :(
You win a big ole Brit' pat on the back ;-)
I lived in England for 3 years about 16 years ago. I remember that saying!
I recall this word in one of your previous blogs. Repeat? I remember commenting then that I use the word "chockful" of something.
I think I've always thought (oh, wait...is that a double think?..do they cancel each other out?)...anyway, that chock-a-block was a big mixed up mess of schtuff. Thank you for clarifying. = )
I've always liked this one. Not sure why but maybe because it almost sounds like chocolate???
Thanks so much for all these Brit words. Very interesting. I've already heard a lot of them but sometimes I hear or read a word and I'm not sure of the exact meaning so this is very helpful.
I've heard of things being chock-full of something, I guess it came from your saying...well what do you know? :)
Gigi, yes I am repeating some BWOTD's as I mentioned a couple of months back. I now have many more readers and people seem to enjoy them so much.
Now I know! Thanks. I enjoy these posts.
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