http://wordie.org/words/chock-a-block Comments for the word 'Chock-a-block' http://wordie.org http://wordie.org/words/chock-a-block#comments The present meaning (filled to capacity or overloaded) derives from a nautical term. The derivation of <a href="/words/chock">chock</a> isn't entirely clear, but the word is thought to have come from <a href="/words/chock-full">chock-full</a> (or "choke-full"), meaning "full to choking." This meaning was later used to name the wedges of wood used to secure moving objects. On sailing ships, a block and tackle <a href="/words/pulley">pulley</a> system was used to hoist the rigging. The phrase chock-a-block describes what occurs when the system is raised to its fullest extent, i.e., when there is no more rope free and the blocks jam tightly together. Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:43:17 +0000 http://wordie.org/words/chock-a-block#comments