On The Wagon
Meaning
Abstaining from consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Example
Dean Martin never fell off the wagon. You have to be on the wagon before you can fall off.
Origin
The origin of this seemingly mysterious phrase becomes clear when one learns that the original phrase was On the water wagon. A water wagon was a common piece of equipment in the days before paved roads. They were used to spray the dirt roads to help control dust.
