Plural of bandwagon; large decorated vehicles that carried musical bands in parades, or metaphorically, any popular trend that many people follow.
From 'band' (musical group) plus 'wagon.' Originally literal vehicles in 19th-century American parades; became metaphorical for jumping on popular trends around the 1890s.
The phrase 'jump on the bandwagon' literally came from parades where supporters would literally jump onto moving vehicles to show support—the metaphor perfectly captures enthusiastic conformity.
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