1. Early American Frontier: The phrase could have originated from the practical realities of early American frontier life. Wagons were essential for transportation and survival, and a broken wagon could be disastrous. "Fixing" a wagon meant repairing it, which could be a challenging and laborious task, but was crucial for continued progress.
2. Cowboy Culture: The term could have evolved from the use of wagons in the American West. Cowboys often used wagons for transporting supplies and cattle. A wagon that was "fixed" would be ready for the journey, and a broken one would hinder their progress.
3. Slang and Colloquialism: "Fix his wagon" could have developed as a more general slang phrase for punishing or getting revenge on someone. The image of a wagon being broken or fixed could be used metaphorically to represent the state of someone's life or fortunes.
4. The Wild West: It's also possible the phrase originated from the Wild West, where the image of someone getting their wagon "fixed" could have symbolized a confrontation or violent act.
No Single Source: While these are possible explanations, there's no single, documented origin for the phrase "fix his wagon." It's likely that the phrase evolved through a combination of these influences and other colloquialisms of the time.
Modern Usage: Today, the phrase "fix his wagon" is generally used as a slang term meaning to punish someone or get revenge. It's considered somewhat informal and even threatening, so be mindful of the context when using it.