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Reader question: Please explain “jumping on the bandwagon” in this passage: Anyway, when Chelsea won the league a few years back, I was accused of jumping on the bandwagon. I found this label very annoying... My comments: Wagon is a big four-wheel vehicle pulled by horses. Once upon a time, before cars and trucks dominate the road, wagons were what made the world go round. A bandwagon is then a big wagon, big enough to carry a whole circus band. This is an American coinage. In the old days when a circus band came in town, they would drive their bandwagons round all the places in the city or village, enticing everyone to come and see their show. Those willing, of course, were invited to “jump on the bandwagon.” Gradually, American politicians running for office began using the bandwagon to attract voters. This, from Phrases.org.uk: In the late 19th century, politicians picked up on this form of attracting a crowd and began using bandwagons when campaigning for office.... Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt made a clear-cut reference to the practice in his Letters, 1899 (published 1951): “When I once became sure of one majority they tumbled over each other to get aboard the band wagon. Back to Chelsea, the London football club. Chelsea, you see, had not done very well until recently, until 2003 as a matter of fact upon the advent of their billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, from Russia. Using his millions, Abramovich soon assembled an expensive – and good – squad at Stamford Bridge, their home turf. Chelsea took off from there, having regularly won silverware, including a couple of Premier League titles. | 
