Buzz
Some idioms are self-explanatory. For instance, if you're “playing with fire,” you’re likely engaging in risky behavior that could lead to serious consequences. Likewise, if you’re “dropping your guard,” it means you’re letting your defenses down.
Other expressions are trickier to decipher. What exactly does “falling off the wagon” have to do with overindulgence in alcohol? Does it refer to the loss of coordination associated with drunkenness? Or did pioneers actually tumble off their wagons after a drinking spree?
In reality, the phrase doesn’t relate to any physical mishaps. The expression “on the wagon,” from which “fall off the wagon” is derived, dates back to the early 1900s and was originally “on the water cart.”
Long before Prohibition, a movement emerged to curb the perceived harms of alcohol. Groups like the Anti-Saloon League encouraged individuals to pledge lifelong sobriety in order to cultivate better character and set a positive example for others.
At that time, cities commonly utilized water carts or wagons—large tanks of water drawn by horses. These tanks were used to dampen dusty streets and were not for drinking. As these wagons were prevalent, they became a symbol in conversations about abstinence. People would claim they’d rather drink from the water wagon than indulge in alcohol. This eventually morphed into the phrase “on the water wagon.”
Once someone committed to the metaphorical water wagon, it was understood that a failure to maintain their dedication would result in them falling “off” the water wagon. As the water wagons faded from view, the term simply became “wagon,” with the expression now describing one's stance on alcohol consumption.
Naturally, under the right circumstances, it’s still possible to fall off the wagon—both figuratively and literally. All you’d need is a wagon and, of course, far too much alcohol.
