Railroaded

John from Suttons Bay asked about the word railroaded.  To railroad is to force someone in a particular direction, to coerce him or her into a hasty action or decision that may not be in his or her best interest. I have seen two explanations, both of them plausible. First, railroad tracks do not allow choice of direction; you are forced to go where they lead. Second, some19th century railroad barons were notorious for forcing landowners to sell by using any and all means.

I find it interesting that even though passenger trains have had their day, certain expressions from an earlier era are still in use today. A quick trek through memory dredged these up.

• bells and whistles
• blow your stack
• busy as Grand Central station
• derail a plan
• end of the line
• full head of steam
• gravy train
• jump the track
• keep chugging along
• keep on track (but could also be a dirt  path)
• light at the end of the tunnel
• on the wrong track (but could also be a dirt path)
• one track mind (but could also be a dirt path)
• that train has left the station
• third rail issue
• ticket to nowhere
• train of thought
• train wreck
• wrong side of the tracks

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