Re: Jump on the bandwagon

Posted by James Briggs on September 25, 2002

In Reply to: Jump on the bandwagon posted by kjo on September 25, 2002

: does anyone know where the phrase "jump on the bandwagon" came from?

To climb/jump on the bandwagon is to join in something that looks as if it will be a success, often with a view to gaining some sort of personal benefit. This goes back to the southern USA custom of bands playing on a wagon in front of a religious or political rally. Supporters would jump on board in order to show their enthusiasm. Although the practice is of some age, the saying itself is first recorded about the Presidential campaign of William Jennings Bryan early in the 20th century.