Where did the phrase "popping the question" come from?

Answer by  rabbui (275)

Popping the question came from a popular form of proposal back in the 1930s. The boyfriend would inflate a balloon, put the engagement ring inside and then present it to his girlfriend. If she chose to accept, she could then pop the balloon and accept the ring. If not, she could play ignorant and do nothing.

Answer by  metafrastria (31)

In the sense of "asking something suddenly", the phrase dates to 1725. It was not for another century that people started to use it to refer to a marriage proposal.

Answer by  bean11 (2803)

The word "pop" contains many connotations, particularly one of great surprise; therefore "popping the question" is a way to convey the happy surprise the question brings forth.