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'.
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?
ReplyDeleteI knew this one! Do I win something? :(
ReplyDeleteYou win a big ole Brit' pat on the back ;-)
ReplyDeleteI lived in England for 3 years about 16 years ago. I remember that saying!
ReplyDeleteI recall this word in one of your previous blogs. Repeat? I remember commenting then that I use the word "chockful" of something.
ReplyDeleteI 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. = )
ReplyDeleteI've always liked this one. Not sure why but maybe because it almost sounds like chocolate???
ReplyDeleteThanks 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.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of things being chock-full of something, I guess it came from your saying...well what do you know? :)
ReplyDeleteGigi, 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.
ReplyDeleteNow I know! Thanks. I enjoy these posts.
ReplyDelete