- Meaning
- This idiom describes someone who is abstaining from alcohol, drugs, or another harmful habit, often after a period of indulgence, as if riding a ‘wagon’ of sobriety or restraint. It conveys a commitment to self-control or recovery, typically used in personal, health, or social contexts to highlight a deliberate choice to avoid temptation. The phrase carries a tone of resolve, support, or mild humor, reflecting cultural attitudes toward addiction and the human struggle for discipline, particularly in societies with strong temperance or recovery movements. It resonates in settings where personal transformation is celebrated, capturing the effort to maintain sobriety or reform, and its wagon imagery adds a layer of historical quirkiness, evoking a journey of perseverance. The idiom often implies a challenging but admirable effort, making it a powerful expression for those navigating the path of recovery or restraint.
- Origin
- The phrase likely originated in late 19th-century America, tied to the temperance movement, where ‘on the wagon’ referred to choosing water from a water wagon over alcohol, a practice linked to prohibitionist campaigns. An early use appears in a 1904 *Los Angeles Times* article, describing a reformed drinker as ‘on the wagon.’ The idiom gained traction during the early 20th century, reflecting Prohibition’s influence (1920–1933), as seen in Sinclair Lewis’ *Elmer Gantry* (1927), which explores moral reform. Its use was amplified by the rise of Alcoholics Anonymous (founded 1935), which popularized recovery language, and by 1940s media, including radio dramas and temperance literature. The phrase’s adoption in British and Commonwealth English came through American cultural exports, notably post-World War II, and its spread was fueled by its vivid imagery, evoking a wagon as a vehicle of restraint, and its applicability to sobriety, ensuring its enduring use across English-speaking cultures, from recovery meetings to casual references to self-control. Its origins are debated, with some linking it to prisoners’ water wagons, but the temperance context is most widely accepted.
- Variants
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- On the wagon
- Stay on the wagon
- Back on the wagon
- On the water wagon
- Examples
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- He’s been on the wagon for six months, avoiding alcohol completely.
- Stay on the wagon, and you’ll feel better about skipping those drinks.
- Back on the wagon, she recommitted to sobriety after a relapse.
- On the water wagon, he proudly declined the bar’s happy hour.
- On the wagon, they focused on healthy habits instead of late-night parties.
- She’s on the wagon, steering clear of junk food to stick to her diet.
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