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bandwagon

The origin and history of bandwagon.

Etymology

Originally a literal large wagon that carried a band in a parade; political candidates would ride on one to draw a crowd, and by the late 1800s "jump on the bandwagon" came to mean joining whatever side looked set to win.

· First attested 1800

Class of 1800

bandwagon first entered the language around 1800. Other words from the same year:

See the full Class of 1800 →
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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.