"Back-Seat Driver"

Has anyone ever told how to drive? We have all encountered this; I am sure, many times.I can’t think of anything that is more aggravating than a great back-seat driver. They talk and criticize reluctantly. It almost makes you want to intentionally drive badly. Have you ever thought about where the phrase “back-seat driver” came from? I say it all the time and I was curious. This is why I chose this idiom; my siblings drive me crazy when I’m driving.

The idiom “back-seat driver” comes from the annoying person who sits anywhere in the car gripping, complaining, nagging, and criticizing your driving. This commonly used phrase emerged in to USA in early 20th century. It became a widespread the more it was used. When people realized what this was, sideline criticizers, they begin to use it. The first reference that could be found when someone used this was in 1914 from the Daily Kennebec Journal. But, could this saying always be negative? Does it always make you think negative?During the 20th century, U.S. fire departments commonly used large articulated ladder trucks, known as tillers. With both front and rear- wheeled steering, it enabled the long vehicles to turn in city streets. Quite often, the back-seat driver would have to take over in order to make the necessary turn. The differences, as you can see, are complete opposite. It was not intended to be explicit, but it’s possible that the phrase could have originated that way, although most people know it as being rude and impolite.So the next time you are driving, and someone tells you how to drive and is criticizing you on how you drive, at least you will know its origin. I have no helpful hints for you other than to block them out. You can focus on the origin of the idiom “back-seat driver” rather than listening to the person and saying what you really wanted to say.