In the early part of the 20th century how would a woman say she is pregnant? I'm thinkinking 1917-1918.?

Question

I'm not looking for cute "bun in the oven" type expressions. What term would conventionally polite people use to say that a baby is on the way. "With child" is kind of Biblical and I doubt it would be the standard expression in 1917. How about "expecting," "In a delicate condition" or "in the family way."

Answer 1

Expecting, or in a family way, would be the most common expression.  In a delicate condition would have been less common, and with child the least common of all.

Answer 2

Oddly enough I just got done reading a Bio of Ed Sullivan and he and fellow Gossip News columnists in the period from 1915 thru 1940 had a similar problem reporting pregnancy!  They used the euphenism;  'expecting a visit from the stork.'

But as another answerer noted ;  expecting has always been the safe term - - -  then and even now!

Oh and, "expecting a blessed event," was also common.

(I've always thought Preggers was the best way to expressed 'it')

Peace---------------------------------...

PS  If your story is set in the rural South the most common way to express preganacy to one's beau was - - - "Der com s ma Daddy with a shotgun."

Answer 3

She might tell people that she and her husband were expecting 'a happy event', which was a discreet way of indicating that she was pregnant.

Answer 4

In the Family way is good, In a Delicate Condition is also great.