Circle the wagons is an English language
idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Categorized as formulaic language, ...
which may refer to a group of people who unite for a common purpose. Historically the term was used to describe a defensive maneuver which was employed by the Americans in 19th century. The term has evolved colloquially to mean people defending each other.
Etymology
In America during the mid 1800s many pioneers traveled west by wagon. Typically these were
Conestoga wagons and they traveled west in a single file line known as a
wagon train
''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings. It ...
. At night the wagons would form a circle around their encampment and livestock for defensive reasons.
A common myth traces the phrase to settlers circling their wagons to fight off native tribes. "Circling the wagon" is still an idiomatic expression for a person or group preparing to defend themselves against attack or criticism.
English language uses
In contemporary English the phrase ''Circle the wagons'' is often used figuratively and idiomatically to describe members of a group protecting each other,
for instance when political parties and groups defend their own views and chastise those outside of their group.
Cultural insensitivity
The term frequently describes rival factions banding together to support one another.
Some indigenous people view the term as offensive based its literal meaning stemming from the
manifest destiny
Manifest destiny was a cultural belief in the 19th century in the United States, 19th-century United States that American settlers were destined to expand across North America.
There were three basic tenets to the concept:
* The special vir ...
era.
Critics have said the term is culturally insensitive and evokes racist images of Native Americans.
See also
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Adage
An adage (; Latin: adagium) is a memorable and usually philosophical aphorism that communicates an important truth derived from experience, custom, or both, and that many people consider true and credible because of its longeval tradition, i.e. ...
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Comprehension of Idioms
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Idiom in English language
An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Categorized as formulaic language, ...
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Morphology (linguistics)
In linguistics, morphology () is the study of words, how they are formed, and their relationship to other words in the same language. It analyzes the structure of words and parts of words such as stems, root words, prefixes, and suffixes. Morp ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Circle the wagons
Idioms
Adages
Colloquial terms
Category
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Philosophy and general uses
* Categorization, categories in cognitive science, information science and generally
*Category of being
* ''Categories'' (Aristotle)
*Category (Kant)
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English-language idioms