# Throw Under A Bus **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 10, 2007, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-under-a-bus/422273 "2007-10-10T22:16:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Genaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Genaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genaro)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2007, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-under-a-bus/422273/1 "2007-10-10T22:16:21Z")
OK, I read Cecil’s answer about whether someone was actually tied to train tracks. How about thrown under a bus? Where did this phrase come from? Was someone ever thrown under a bus? Were Billy and Bob mad at Joe in back of the truck, asked John to get in front of the Greyhound and whoosh? Ill-fated prison escape attempt? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2007, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-under-a-bus/422273/2 "2007-10-10T22:59:52Z")
It only starts getting used(in the US) in the early 1980’s. > **[throw (someone) under the bus](https://waywordradio.org/throw_someone_under_the_bus/)** > > throw (someone) under the bus v. phr. to reject or betray (someone); to treat as a scapegoat; to put out of favor or at a disadvantage. Editorial Note: Thanks to Sam Clements for bringing this… From Grant Barrett’s site > [@](#): > > Citations: [1984 David Remnick @ New Jersey Washington Post (Sept. 7) “Pensive, With Orange Hair Cyndi Lauper & Her Tunes on Tour ”: In the rock ’n’ roll business, you are either on the bus or under it. Playing “Feelings” with Eddie and the Condos in a buffet bar in Butte is under the bus. Peter Frampton is under the bus. God willing, so are the Bee Gees.] Scroll down on that page to see the list of cites and dates.