bandwagon

plural bandwagons · alternative bandwaggon

1. A large wagon used to carry a band of musicians in a parade.First known use 1836
2. figurativelyA current movement that attracts wide support.First known use 1880

   Specifically, and unforgivably, she restarted the Heathrow Third Runway bandwagon, which had been stalled for more than a decade and even declared dead by most commentators.

   2025 February 19, Christian Wolmar, “Reeves talks of 'growth' but pays lip service to the railway”, in RAIL, number 1029, page 35

present singular third person bandwagons · participle present bandwagoning · participle present rare bandwagonning · participle past bandwagoned · past bandwagoned · participle past rare bandwagonned · past rare bandwagonned · alternative bandwaggon

1. figurativelyTo join a bandwagon (a current movement that attracts wide support).First known use 1915

   Everyone in my school flew rebel flags and had rebel flag tattoos and I bandwagoned and got the tattoo.

   2020 June 14, Alaa Elassar, quoting Jennifer Tucker, “A Kentucky tattoo shop is offering to cover up hate and gang symbols for free”, in CNN, Atlanta, Ga.: Warner Bros. Discovery, archived from the original on 05 Dec 2022

   3 more examples

   Again, only three years ago, he opposed every measure advocated by Woodrow Wilson—did all he could to prevent his nomination—and bandwagoned when the nomination could no longer be prevented.

   1915 June 17, Rockville Tribune, “Roger Sullivan”, in The Indianapolis News, volume XLVI, number 166 (14,218 overall), Indianapolis, Ind., →OCLC, page 16, column 5

   “Weeping Walter” is a notorious example of the theory that “trimming” pays in politix. He has blown with every wind; he has bandwagoned with every passing movement from the Ku Klux Klan to the Townsend plan; […]

   1937 April 25, “Old Ironpants [i.e., Charles Martin] and Walter [Marcus Pierce]”, in Alton F. Baker, editor, Eugene Register-Guard, volume 92, number 115, Eugene, Ore.: Alton F. Baker, →OCLC, page 6 (Editorial Page), column 1

   The sell-out bandwagonned and, as Sam [Rayburn] continued to stall, a positive vote against seating the Virginia delegation turned into a positive vote for seating them.

   1952 August 3, James Whiteshield, “The Middle Is Somewhat Independent”, in The Miami Herald, 42nd year, number 244, Miami, Fla., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 3-F, column 4

   Synonyms: jump on the bandwagon

1. Synonym of Big Dipper.

   Synonyms: Big Dipper