"On The Wagon"

Posted by Pete on March 11, 2004

I vaguely remember a definition of the phrase being described by a London Taxi Driver on a PBS special several years ago. The taxi driver was driving the streets of London and speaking with the interviewer when something he passed triggered an explanation (my memory of what triggered the discussion is less clear) of the phrase "On The Wagon". He said that when prisoners were being escorted, by wagon (in much older times) to where they were to be executed the guards would stop at a pub and give them a final drink. After their drink the bartender would ask if they wanted another and the guards would say "No, he's On The Wagon". Has anyone heard this before? or can this PBS story be dug up for verification?

• "On The Wagon" Paul 18/March/04
• "On The Wagon" R. Berg 11/March/04
  • "On The Wagon" Jim 13/March/04
    • "On The Wagon" Brian from Shawnee 15/March/04