Why are pregnant stars "over the moon"?

I was reading a magazine about Halle Berry being "over the moon" about her pregnancy. Every time a star is pregnant or has a baby, their publicist states they are over the moon. Is there a handbook that they use for these press releases? Is this a standardized response? Would you tell them it is annoying?
—Adrianna, Spokane, Washington

The B!tch Replies:  A statement from your Answer Bitch regarding statements:

We here at E! are ecstatic that you are writing to me about statements at what I can only assume is a private and difficult time for you. My heart goes out to the families and friends of all who have struggled with this issue. It is unfortunate that publicists often feel the need to use this language, and my thoughts and prayers are with them at this time. I am shocked and saddened by your annoyance. However, I have relayed it to several publicists in a timely manner, with my best wishes for a speedy answer.

And an answer I have indeed gotten.

"We all have phrases that we keep on the sidelines, and maybe we use them too often," concedes BSG publicist Brian Gross. Then again, he adds, "There are only so many ways you can say 'happy' and have it mean what you want it to mean."

True that. When Britney got knocked up with, wait, was it the first proto-hick or the second?—anyway, she issued a statement saying she and Federline were "ecstatic" after the birth. That's another popular alternative to over the moon.

However, oddly, when it comes to other kinds of honors, the word of the hour is thrilled, as in Jon Stewart's recent revelation that he was "thrilled to be asked to host the Academy Awards." I guess he wanted to avoid the pregnancy rumors that go with "over the moon."

For the record, if you are a celebrity and you are taken off-guard by a pregnancy, à la Tom Brady, now the father of a son by ex Bridget Moynahan, the apparent word to use is excited.

"Tom and his family are excited about the pregnancy and want to thank everyone who has shown support, and particularly for their consideration of Tom's privacy," the football star's camp said two days after the initial news broke.

But back to your Q...you wanted to know why we keep seeing the same tired phraseology. The answer, like many of these statements, is pretty predictable.

"Publicists read everything, and they influence each other in the way comedians influence each other," says Gross, who reps actors like Joanna Angel, as well as Websites like Imcooked.com.

And, oh, mother and baby are doing well. There will be no further comment.

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