Here's a breakdown of the origin:
* The Rise of Big City Governments: As cities grew larger and more complex, so did their governments. These governments often became powerful and bureaucratic, seemingly unyielding to the needs of individual citizens.
* The Power of the "Machine": In many cities, political machines gained control, wielding significant influence and resources. These machines often disregarded the needs of ordinary people in favor of their own interests.
* Individual vs. The System: The idiom reflects the feeling of helplessness many citizens felt when facing the seemingly impenetrable bureaucracy and powerful political forces of city hall.
* The Phrase Takes Shape: While the exact origin is unknown, the idiom likely arose from a combination of factors:
* Newspaper Headlines: Newspaper articles of the time often referred to the struggles of ordinary citizens against the power of city governments.
* Folk Wisdom: The sentiment of "You can't fight city hall" became a common saying, reflecting the prevailing attitude of the time.
Today, the idiom "You can't fight city hall" is used to express the feeling of being powerless against a large and seemingly insurmountable force, be it a government, a corporation, or any other powerful entity.