ChatterBank3 mins ago
His On the Wagon & His Fallen off the Wagon ?
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Where do these sayings originate please !!.
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There are all sorts of stories about prisoners being allowed a last drink before being banged up or Salvation Army folk claiming they sent wagons around American ciries to collect drinkers and take them back to the 'safety' of the Army hostel.
In fact, the original saying was about "being on the water-wagon". Water-wagons were common in New York at the turn of the 20th century and used to dampen down the dusty streets. So, the implication was that anyone so described was a water-drinker.
In fact, the original saying was about "being on the water-wagon". Water-wagons were common in New York at the turn of the 20th century and used to dampen down the dusty streets. So, the implication was that anyone so described was a water-drinker.
Actually, no, Ethel. In fact, I went to Worldwidewords, just as you did, and looked up 'wagon' and 'fall' to no avail...it didn't even occur to me to look at 'on'! Had I found it there, I would simply have provided the very link you yourself did.
However, I did find it in a book called POSH and Other Language Myths by Michael Quinion, the selfsame man as runs the above website!
So, whichever way one looks at it, Michael Quinion himself was "the source".
However, I did find it in a book called POSH and Other Language Myths by Michael Quinion, the selfsame man as runs the above website!
So, whichever way one looks at it, Michael Quinion himself was "the source".
Thank's Guys & Girls !. GREAT ANSWERS !!
My understanding and impression was that the jailers would take the prisoners to their execution on a Wagon, however the Wagon drivers by tradition would stop for ale on the way, leaving the prisoner on the wagon, hence the term.
The reverse would be falling off the wagon, ie starting to drink again.
Any ideas on that school of merry thought ?
My understanding and impression was that the jailers would take the prisoners to their execution on a Wagon, however the Wagon drivers by tradition would stop for ale on the way, leaving the prisoner on the wagon, hence the term.
The reverse would be falling off the wagon, ie starting to drink again.
Any ideas on that school of merry thought ?
In the book I referred to earlier, Quinion mentions your version, Bravo, and dismisses it with the words: "Hardly so." Given that he is a noted etymologist and lexicographer who actually worked on The Oxford English Dictionary - the 'bible' in such matters - I think you'd be wise to dismiss it, too. Cheers
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