The line forms on the right
Posted by Baceseras on February 10, 2008 at 17:27:
In Reply to: The line forms on the right posted by Victoria S Dennis on February 10, 2008 at 17:26:
: : What's the meaning and origin of "The line forms on the right"?
: It's a military drill instruction. It means that the front-rank man on the right of the squad is the marker for everybody else; he stands still, while the rest of the squad forms up in relation to him. It's generally normal for a military formation to form on the right; but any well-trained squad can, when so ordered, form on the left or the centre. (VSD)
In situations where there is no actual line-forming, it's sometimes spoken to a complainer or impatient person --- then the meaning is simply that one's complaint is not unique, and one must wait a while for relief.
- The line forms on the right James Briggs 10/February/08