Backseat Driver

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Meaning:

Backseat Driver means Someone who criticizes from the sidelines.

Origin:

This comes from the annoying habit of some people giving unwanted advice to a vehicle driver. It emerged in the USA in the early 20th century, as Driving cars was becoming widespread.

Before the phrase took on its figurative 'unwanted adviser' meaning it had been used as a literal reference to people who drove vehicles from the back seat. someone being called a 'back-seat driver' refers to that literal usage was first seen in the Daily Kennebec Journal, 1914 it reads:

"When New York pitcher Vernon Gomez retires as a smokeballer he wants to become a smoke eater. Here he gets a tryout as a back-seat driver on a hook and ladder truck at St. Petersburg..."

The figurative and derogatory meaning of 'back-seat driver' is unmistakable in this article from the Oklahoma City Star, August 1914:

“He did not see the car till I screamed (and I'm not a back seat driver either) but I knew that he did not see it, so it was time to do something.”

Example:

Today we still use the term backseat driver to express that someone is giving advice, but they are not the ones in control. An example sentence is:

“Instead of being a backseat driver, I would rather take full responsibility and lead the project.”

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