Dictionary

blessed event en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (euphemistic, idiomatic) The birth of a baby.
   • Soon we come to the mother-to-be-any-minute-now in the delivery room, and there is some question about whether the father can/will/wants to get to the hospital in time for the blessed event. 2007 November 5, Laura Capitano, “I hate . . . TV birth plotlines”, in Florida Times-Union, retrieved 12 May 2009:
   • Alexander Loudon, Netherlands Minister to the U.S., when asked if the blessed event was in prospect, hedged: "A royal child born on the soil of freedom-loving America would be both a blessing and a good omen." 1940 June 24, “Good Omen”, in Time:
2. (idiomatic, qualifier:sometimes humorous or ironical) An occurrence or occasion which is particularly noteworthy and enjoyable.
   • There was a time not so long ago when a company poised to go public would invite a reporter inside to memorialize the moments leading up to the blessed event. 2004 September 26, Gary Rivlin, “Quiet, Please! Suddenly, the S.E.C. Is Listening”, in New York Times, retrieved 12 May 2009:
   • Mr. Spenlow told me this day week was Dora's birthday, and he would be glad if I would come down and join a little picnic on the occasion. . . . I think I committed every possible absurdity in the way of preparation for this blessed event. 1850, Charles Dickens, chapter 33, in David Copperfield:

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