taking up space
/ˈteɪkɪŋ ʌp speɪs/
adjective phrase
Origin
Old English / Latin
tacan / spatium — to grasp or seize / room or area
Overview
Meaning Now
- occupying a physical area or volume, often used to imply a lack of usefulness or productivity
- being present in a way that is noticeable or inconvenient to others
Literal older meaning
the act of occupying a portion of spatial dimensions
Language path
Old English → Middle English → English
Earliest form
taken up space
Earliest period
late 14th century
Journey
The phrase combines the Germanic verb 'take' with the Latin-derived 'space'. In historical discourse, it moved from purely physical measurement to social commentary regarding presence.
Evolution
- Old English
tacan
“to take”
From Old Norse 'taka'.
- Anglo-Norman
espace
“area or interval”
Derived from Latin 'spatium'.
- Middle English
taken up space
“to occupy room”
Emergence of phrasal construction.
Connections
Word parts
taking
stem
present participle of take
up
other
particle indicating completion or occupancy
space
root
physical extent
Related across languages
Old Norse
taka
to grasp
Latin
spatium
space
Related words
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Related to taking up space
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.