1 adj. — 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".
2 adj.
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".