The phrase “bun in the oven” is a common English idiom for a pregnant woman, with origins dating back to the early 20th century. It compares the unborn child to a bun and the mother’s womb to an oven. Other slang phrases for pregnancy include “preggers” and “expecting.” Halloween costumes based on this phrase are popular.
The phrase “bun in the oven” is an English idiom that refers to a pregnant woman. The origin and first usage of the term is unclear, but it has become a common saying in many countries that use English as their primary language, particularly in the United States and Great Britain. Pop culture references to this phrase are plentiful.
While the precise origin of this slang phrase is unknown, it appears to have been in use since the early or mid-20th century. The literary references go back to the 1920s. The use of this phrase to refer to being pregnant began appearing in movies, television shows, and other pop culture mediums a little later.
It goes without saying that a woman is not a kitchen appliance. The phrase “baked bun,” however, makes a clear comparison. In this analogy, the unborn child is the bun and the mother’s womb is the oven. The child’s father is sometimes referred to as the chef, an analogy some may find offensive.
“Bun in the oven” may have originally come from some points of comparison between pregnancy and baking. Baked items, like unborn babies, need to be incubated for a specific amount of time. Both grow during the incubation period. Whatever the basis, the phrase seems to have become an accepted and largely inoffensive way of saying a woman is pregnant.
This particular phrase has become so popular, in fact, that creative costume websites suggest using it as the basis for Halloween costumes. Some sites suggest decorating a large cardboard box like an oven, then punching holes in the box for the woman’s arms, legs, and head. A picture of a bun, loaf or muffin is glued or drawn on the oven “door”. Other sites offer commercial versions of this costume. In some cases, sites advise the woman’s partner to wear a chef costume.
Many other slang phrases for pregnancy have come into common use. In addition to having a ‘bun in the oven’, pregnant women can be said to have ‘joined the pudding club’, are ‘in the family’ or are ‘stork watch’. Modifications of the word “pregnant” include “preggers”, “preggo” and “pg”. Kinder terms include being “with a baby” or “expecting.” Other terms include “pregnant” and, in the case of an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy, “in distress” or “troubled.”
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