To ask whether "carrying" means pregnant in this situation?

[SallyMischievo]

Lovely man just offered me seat on the tube, awkwardly uttering "I've just realised you're carrying". Accepted gratefully as was wielding a massive bag but upon reflection, I wonder if he thought I was 'with child'? Mortified at thought of procuring seat under false pretenses and slightly distraught to be mistaken for being pregnant. I had pancakes with maple syrup for breakfast today due to being mildly hungover and have also consumed fizzy drinks and two brownies...

Bit of an odd phrase - I would hedge with not

Who knows. Maybe he thought you looked all warm and fuzzy. Doesn’t necessarily mean fat.

I only know it as meaning pregnant..

I would think it meant the massive bag.

I only know it to mean pregnant. Otherwise surely most commuters are carrying a bag of some description

Sorry, but if he was an older man yes, that's probably what he meant.

Only other meaning is carrying drugs as far as I know - only know that from films and tv though - and I can't imagine he meant that.

Could be either but if the bag was massive then probably that.

In the US it means you have a gun on you. But I doubt he meant that.

I think I'm those circs I would actually pretend to be pregnant, feel the kicks, cradle the brownie bump, just to save the man from embarrassment. I realise this may be a very English reaction!

I’ve been offered a seat before

Was wearing a very unflattering dress and had had a huge pasta dinner

Chucked that dress out pretty sharpish!

Gah! This is not good. It was an enormous overnight bag and he was probably a similar age to me, early 40s. Feeling crestfallen, really didn't realise I was that round...

I would think he meant the bag but either way I would just be happy I got a seat

Who cares?! You got a seat on the tube! That's a win!

Maybe he thought you had a gun!

Sounds like he thought you were pregnant - loads of people carry huge bags on the tube everyday and don't get offered seats. Sorry, OP!

Take it as a compliment, pregnant women generally look all glowy

@ShinyMe, that’s what I thought!

OP, try not to worry about it too much. It was probably your coat or something.

Take it as a compliment, pregnant women generally look all glowy

Do they?!

Maybe he was just being kind and trying to make a joke about your heavy bags. I used to work with a bloke who would always say to the young girls who were holding heavy stock " Does your mother know that you are carrying?" I was slightly amused the first time he said it, but got fed up after umpteenth time!

I’ve only heard that phrase in America meaning caring a gun!!!! 😂😂😂

I had twins nearly 3 years ago, they were born at 35 weeks but we're very good sized at 6lb 6 and 6lb 12, it has taken me ages to lose weight and for about two years I still looked like I was expecting, it was a great (but embarrassing) way to get a seat on the bus home from work, I was too mortified to say anything.

All the more humiliating as I was wearing new JL dress (www.johnlewis.com/collection-weekend-by-john-lewis-harlequin-star-shirt-dress-black-multi/p3713884) and actually thought that I looked vaguely stylish today. Curses. I had better start Couch To 5k sharpish...

I would have assumed pregnancy tbh, but it depends on whether you have a tummy that could feasibly be mistaken for a baby bump. I do so I would fake it and sit down happliy :o

Its a lovely dress but the loose fit could be mistaken for covering a bump, I would wear a belt next time!

It's a lovely dress, but to many people that's a maternity style.