backseat driver
Meaning of the phrase:
-a passenger in a car who gives the driver unwanted advice; also, a person who offers unsolicited advice, directions, or help without having the responsibility, knowledge, or authority for doing so
· My partner is a backseat driver when it comes to cooking. I can't even chop an onion without them telling me I'm doing it wrong.
Origin of the phrase:
Picture this: It’s the early 20th century, automobiles are all the rage, and people are taking to the streets in droves. But as with any new invention, there were a few bumps in the road, and those bumps came in the form of backseat drivers.
Imagine you’re cruising down the street in your shiny new Model T, and your buddy in the passenger seat just can’t keep their mouth shut. “Slow down, Theodore, you’re gonna kill us!” they exclaim as you approach a red light. “Take a left here, no wait… a right!” they shout as you navigate through the city. That, is the quintessential backseat driver.
An early example of the derogatory expression appears in print as early as 1915, appearing in the The sun on July 25:
The backseat diver takes it upon herself to do all the duties of a chauffer except, of course, run the car. Which is a minor matter.
Now, there are two popular theories about the origin of the phrase ‘backseat driver.’ Some believe it was originally a literal term, while others suggest it came from wealthy people who hired chauffeurs to drive them around in their fancy cars. Let’s explore both of these theories in more detail.
It’s possible that the phrase “backseat driver” was at first a literal term. For example, fire trucks in the early 20th century were equipped with large articulated ladder trucks, known as tillers, that had both front and rear-wheel steering. It must have taken a skilled backseat driver to navigate those beasts through the narrow streets of the city.
But that’s not the only possible origin of this phrase. Some say it came from wealthy folks who hired chauffeurs to drive them around in their fancy cars. The passengers would sit in the backseat and annoyingly direct their chauffeurs where to drive and how to drive. Sound familiar? I’m sure we’ve all had that one friend or family member who just can’t resist telling us how to drive.
Regardless of its origins, the term “backseat driver” has evolved to mean anyone who gives unwanted advice to the person in charge. Whether it’s your boss breathing down your neck at work or your mother-in-law critiquing your parenting skills, we’ve all encountered a backseat driver at some point in our lives.