pop the question
idiom

- to ask someone to marry you

The Cambridge Dictionary

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PHRASE ORIGIN



The idiom "pop the question" is a playful way to describe the act of proposing marriage. It's deeply ingrained in modern romance culture, featuring in rom-coms and sitcoms, jewelry ads and casual conversation. And while this widespread phrase might seem like a modern invention that has become woven into everyday English, it's been in use for centuries.



According to the Oxford English Dictionary, an early recorded use of "pop the question" dates to 1573, in A Hundreth Sundrie Flowres, the first published work of English poet George Gascoigne: "At the last Pergo popped this question unto him." In Gascoigne's time, "popping the question" wasn't strictly reserved for marriage proposals. More commonly, it meant to ask a question abruptly or unexpectedly; "pop" was metaphorical, much like an unexpected sound.

By the 18th century, the phrase had taken on a romantic meaning, as evidenced in the New England Courant, one of Boston's earliest newspapers: "I should be very glad to know your Sentiments whether it would be improper for the Lady to pop the Question first."

By the mid-19th century, other uses had faded, and the phrase almost exclusively referred to a proposal.

 The idiom's enduring popularity makes perfect sense: marriage proposals are marked by a buildup of anticipation, suspense, and, often, surprise,… much like the celebratory pop of a champagne cork.

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HOW EDISON POPPED THE QUESTION

According to historical accounts, Thomas Edison proposed to his second wife, Mina Miller, by tapping out a Morse code message into her hand. Edison, who was partially deaf, often used Morse code as a private means of communication. He reportedly taught Mina the code and proposed by tapping “Will you marry me?” into her palm. She responded with “Yes” in the same manner.

Thomas Edison proposed to his second wife, Mina Miller, by tapping a Morse code message into her palm.  Edison, who was partially deaf, had taught Mina Morse code so they could communicate privately in the presence of others. During a chaperoned trip to the White Mountains in 1885, proposed by tapping “Will you marry me?” into her palm. She responded with “Yes” in the same manner.

Here’s the coded message:

"Will you marry me?" → .-- .. .-.. .-.. / -.-- --- ..- / -- .- .-. .-. -.-- / -- . ..--..
"Yes" → -.-- . ...

BTW, the question mark (?) in Morse is represented as "..--.."

Helga & Paul Smith

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SYNONYMS

ask for someone's hand (in marriage), asking for a (one’s) hand, bending the knee, bridal bargain, bride-to-be moment, call to wed, down on one knee, dropped to one knee, engagement question, forever question, get down on one knee, get/getting hitched, getting serious, golden question, hand-in-marriage request, heart offering, heart's proposal, husband-to-be moment, joining plea, knot-tying request, lifelong offer, love contract (pledge, proposition), marriage offer, matrimonial invitation (proposition, question, request), matrimony plea ( request), oath of fidelity, offer of wedlock, offer marriage, plighting one's troth, POP THE QUESTION, popping the question, press one's suit with, promise of forever, proposal of marriage, propose on bended knee, proposing matrimony, question of eternal devotion (of forever, of love), say "yes" to the dress, sealing the deal, seeking one's hand, set one's cap for, soulmate question, suggestion of matrimony, suitor's request, the big ask, tying-the-knot request, ultimate question, union proposition, vow of commitment, vow request, wedding ask, wedding invitation (offer, plea, proposition), will you be mine (marry me)

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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, say something like:

“Thomas Edison POPPED THE QUESTION to his bride-to-be in a very unusual way.”

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