A Visit From The Stork – Idiom & Meaning

Are you expecting a visit from the stork any time soon? Did you know that the euphemism dates back as far as ancient Greek and Egyptian times? I’d love to talk about the phrase and tell you how you can use it in your writing and everyday speech.

A Visit From the Stork Meaning

“A visit from the stork” is just a simple, silly phrase that means the arrival of a new baby into a family. It’s technically a euphemism for pregnancy and the birth of a child.

I’ve really only ever seen it used in a humorous or lighthearted manner when referring to the addition of a new baby or even a pet like a puppy or something. I can’t think of any serious context where it’d be used.

It is also a fun way of acknowledging the change that a new baby brings to a home, in terms of challenges, risks, and the simple joys that come with being a parent.

Origin of the Euphemism a Visit From the Stork

The euphemism has an origin that seems to date back to ancient times. In tons of different cultures, a stork was a symbol of fertility, growth, and new beginnings. In these ancient times, the avian creature was thought to bring forth new life, either by delivering babies to new mothers or by bringing seeds to plant in the fields.

In Europe, a stork is actually a lucky bird and is often linked with good fortune and happiness. The idea of the creature delivering babies originated in Slovak cultures, where storks were seen as messengers from the gods who carried souls back and forth from the afterlife.

This idea eventually spread throughout Europe after Hans Christian Anderson published his fairy tale, The Storks, in 1838. In the story, storks pluck dreaming babies from ponds and deliver them to their families.

Fast forward to modern times, we still use the phrase “a visit from the stork” as a euphemism for delivering a baby, and it’s a lighthearted and playful way of saying it.

What Does Stork Mean in Slang?

I’ve seen it used to refer to a delivery man or mailman who brings packages mail to your house. This is usually in a humorous or playful manner, especially if the delivery workers are dressed in bright, distinctive uniforms.

You can also use the word “stork” as a slang term for a drug dealer. It’s kind of a negative context because it means someone who delivers illegal drugs to people, either for personal use or for sale.

A Visit From the Stork Sentence Examples

• “We’re expecting a visit from the stork in a few months, and we’re so excited to become parents!”
• “My friend just got a visit from the stork. She’s now a proud mother of a baby boy.”
• “The couple next door was overjoyed when they received a visit from the stork. I know they’ve been trying for a baby for years.”
• “Our family is now complete after a visit from the stork because we now have two beautiful twins.”
• “Everyone was surprised when they heard that Candace had received a visit from the stork because she’s always been so focused on her career.”

And as lockdown eased, it was revealed that Kareena Kapoor Khan and Anushka Sharma also had a visit from the stork. (Times of India)

Special Delivery!

So, have fun using the phrase ‘a visit from the stork’ or a ‘delivery from the stork’ because that’s what it is; a fun, lighthearted way to say you had a baby or a special delivery of some kind.