Definitions
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun pregnancy test that involves injecting some of the woman's urine into an unmated female rabbit and later examining the ovaries of the rabbit; presence of corpora lutea indicates that the woman is pregnant
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mechanolatry commented on the word rabbit test
The rabbit test was an early pregnancy test developed in 1927. The test consisted of injecting a woman's urine into a female rabbit, then examining the rabbit's ovaries a few days later, which would change in response to the hormone (hCG), which is only secreted by pregnant women. The rabbit test became a widely used bioassay (animal-based test) to test for pregnancy. The term "rabbit test" was first recorded in 1949 but became a common phrase in the English language.
Modern pregnancy tests still operate this basis. Due to medical advances, use of a live animal is no longer required.
It was a common misconception that the injected rabbit would die only if the woman was pregnant. This led to the phrase "the rabbit died" being used as a euphemism for a positive pregnancy test.
March 8, 2009
Prolagus commented on the word rabbit test
I think there's a page about this somewhere... her it is: the rabbit died.
March 8, 2009
ruzuzu commented on the word rabbit test
I think you meant "hare" it is.
"Hare." Get it?
Har har har.
January 26, 2011
PossibleUnderscore commented on the word rabbit test
Heh.
*cough cough*
January 27, 2011
Prolagus commented on the word rabbit test
Har(e) har(e) har(e)!
January 27, 2011