Friday, January 15, 2010

Fun Fact Friday - Paint Your (Band)Wagon

Wednesday, when I devised a fiendish plan for wealth and world domination, my friend Sarah (buy her book on March 19th!) indicated she would like onto my bandwagon. Sure, the bandwagon needs fundage to grease the wheels, get the wagon rolling, so to speak. But really, just what is a bandwagon, anyway? And why should we be jumping onto it so willy nilly?
The term originated in the mid-1800's right here in the good old US of A, when politicians would announce their arrival into town for the campaign season by riding atop a circus wagon populated by a loud, (and probably out-of-tune) brass band. To show their support of said politician, lookers-on would run into the road and climb aboard the wagon. I envision this looking much like the busses and trains in third-world countries, where buying a ticket doesn't necessarily guarantee you a seat inside.

Using a circus wagon over a century ago as our nation was expanding and really coming to fruition, is it any wonder that the term 'political circus' has remained in vogue? And sure, the classic circus featured a band, but certainly not as prominently as some other three-ring denizens...
Coincidence? I think not.

6 comments:

tracey said...

gah! clowns! great post otherwise. : )
never knew where the term 'band wagon' originated, & political circus certainly DOES fit. yikes.

Elliott said...

And yes, I just read your 'clown' post right after posting this. Sorry.

tracey said...

it's all good. well, not the clown part, but you know what i mean. :)

calicobebop said...

Interesting! I would love to see that come back in style - very entertaining I'm sure!

Bev said...

I've got no problems with either clowns or carnies. Politicians, however... ix-nay.

Have a nice weekend, Elliott!

Nej said...

Can't sleep, clown will eat me. Can't sleep, clown will eat me.

(Love that episode!!!!)

I'd totally join in on the bandwagon. Is this wagon similar to a party bus. Will there be refreshments??

Be nice and share!

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