Where did the saying fell by wayside originate?

The saying "fell by the wayside" doesn't actually have a concrete origin. It's a figurative expression, meaning something that was once promising or successful but has failed or been abandoned.

Possible Origins:

* Biblical reference: It is often associated with the parable of the sower in the Bible (Matthew 13:4-9, Mark 4:3-9, Luke 8:5-8), where seeds sown on the pathside "fell by the wayside" and were quickly eaten by birds. This refers to people who hear the word of God but don't understand it and quickly forget it.

* Metaphorical use: The phrase likely evolved from the literal image of something falling by the side of a road, becoming irrelevant or forgotten. This could apply to a traveler who gets lost, a vehicle that breaks down, or even a forgotten object.

* Early use: The earliest recorded use of the phrase appears in the early 1800s, but its origins are unclear.

While the exact origin is unknown, the figurative meaning of "fell by the wayside" has made it a common and enduring idiom in the English language.