Etymology

bandwagon

band·wag·on
B3A1N1D2W4A1G2O1N1

Today it means: A large wagon used to carry a band of musicians in a parade. Full definition →

First used 1836
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The story

From band + wagon.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 1836 A large wagon used to carry a band of musicians in a parade.
  • from 1880 A current movement that attracts wide support.
  • from 1915 To join a bandwagon (a current movement that attracts wide support).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.