3 ms·
I've long wondered where the American meaning comes from. In the UK, the etymology is pretty clear from the long-gone occupation described in this article: knoc
by mortenjorck 3y ago
I've long wondered where the American meaning comes from. In the UK, the etymology is pretty clear from the long-gone occupation described in this article: knocking on a window that is often up on the second story (or perhaps more directly, forcing someone up from their slumber through the act of knocking).
- KPGv2 3y agoLikely "to knock" meant "to have sex with" because during the Gold Rush (mid-19th century), a brothel was called a "knocking house"
- arp242 3y agoAlso see: "knocking boots".
- selimthegrim 3y agoBut cf. knocking shop?