Friday, October 25, 2019

Phrase Origins

I like to know the origin of phrases that we commonly use.  Well here are two of them I found out about: “One for the road,” and “On the wagon.”  They come from 18th Century England.  When a fellow was condemned to be executed he was taken in a wagon to the place of execution.  On the way, the cohort of guards stopped at a tavern so he could get a last drink.  This became known as “One for the road.”  Now all the guards had a drink too, except the fellow who was driving the wagon.  He did not drink because he “Was on the wagon.”  If you have any others let me know.

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