DCHP-3

blocked

DCHP-2 (Nov 2012)
1adj. — Newfoundland

crowded or overflowing.

Type: 3. Semantic Change — OED-3 defines the adjective blocked as 'shut up by obstructions' and 'blockaded'. In Newfoundland, however, blocked takes on the meaning of 'full to capacity' or 'overflowing' (DNE, s.v. "blocked"). While the origin of this meaning is unclear, it is possible that it derives from the implication that something (or someone, see meaning 2) is so full that it has become obstructed in some manner. Clarke (2010b: 130) notes that blocked is one of the few lexical features of Newfoundland and Labrador English that shows no loss of vibrancy, in contrast to the many traditional words and phrases that fall into obsolescence as young islanders are increasingly exposed to mainland dialects. Blocked is important in this context, as it demonstrates the continuation, though in altered form, of Newfoundland English's "distinctive nature within the North American context" (Clarke 2010b: 130).
See also COD-2, s.v. "blocked" (2a), which is marked "Cdn (Nfld)", DNE, s.v. "blocked".

Quotations

1904
1940 DOYLE (ed.) 16 "Kelligrews Soiree": The place was blocked with carriages / Stood waiting at the gate.
1955
The City Council yesterday took action to remedy the traffic onfusion [sic] existing in the vicinity of the Memorial Stadium, where each night roads are blocked with lines of parked cars.
1974
Harry's not lonely. People stop by all the time. In fact, he thinks of opening his restaurant again because the place is blocked on the weekends.
1983
There was a seal in the net this morning but there is no market for seal skins this year. They sell most of their fish fresh to the plant in St. Anthony, but if the plant is blocked with fish they will end up salting it.
1990
"There's lots of herring, but you can't sell them," he says. "If the price were half decent, we could make a winter's wages on herring because the harbor is blocked with them. But if we take them to the Long Harbour bait shed, we get five cents a lb.," he adds, "and pay 17 cents a lb. to get them back for bait in the spring."
1999
You go up to the Star Theatre for five cents. As long as you didn't mind, the place would be blocked with youngsters screaming and all that, you could spend the whole afternoon there for five cents.
2004
And there's another thing. That campground over in Spencer's Harbour. Every weekend in the summer that place is blocked with troublemakers from one place and another. More dope and beer floating around. You'd think the town council'd have better sense than to let them in.
2adj.

of a person, full to repletion.

Type: 3. Semantic Change — Though also indicative of Newfoundland English's distinctive nature, blocked in reference to people 'being full' is far less common than to places. See meaning 1.
See also COD-2, s.v. "blocked" (2b), which is marked "Cdn (Nfld)", DNE, s.v. "blocked".

Quotations

1990
P 181-76 'Have another cup of soup.' 'No, I'm blocked.'
2001
Joan Mowbray, Government Records Archivist with PANL, has accepted the committee's request that she join the team. Joan has shown some keen interest in preservation activities, and she is blocked with good ideas for our committee!

References