Throw the rattle out of the pram

Posted by Gary Martin April 11, 2009 at 07:16In reply to Throw the rattle out of the pram posted by Joe Kralich on April 11, 2009 at 02:36:

I would be interested to know the earliest know use of "throw his rattle out of the pram" (or similar), meaning to get excited or angry.

I've found a usage dating from 1995. I don't know where it originated but, if I had to guess, I'd guess Australia. 'Spit the dummy' appears to be a precursor and that is Australian.

It is 1930's to 60's, better to search with just
"out of the pram" and I am not sure if British or American. Yanks used it more so who knows.

I haven't been able to find any of those 30s to 60s references. Could you point to one please?

Replies

Throw the rattle out of the pram Joe 11/April/09
- Throw the rattle out of the pram Gary Martin 12/April/09