go the way of: Idiom Meaning and Origin

The idiom "go the way of" is a popular expression in the English language. It is often used to describe the fate or outcome of something or someone, implying that they will follow a similar path as others who have faced a similar situation. This idiomatic phrase can be traced back to the early 20th century and has become ingrained in everyday conversations.

When used in sentences, the phrase "go the way of" is typically followed by a noun, indicating the subject or object that is destined to follow a certain path. For example, one might say "Traditional bookstores have gone the way of the dodo in the age of digital publishing," meaning that traditional bookstores have become extinct or obsolete, just like the dodo.

While the exact origin of the idiom "go the way of" is unclear, it is believed to have originated from the literal sense of the phrase. In its literal sense, "go the way of" refers to following a particular route or path. Over time, this literal meaning has transformed into a figurative expression, conveying the idea of following a similar fate or outcome as others.

This idiom is commonly used in a variety of contexts to convey the potential demise or obsolescence of something. It can refer to technology, industries, social trends, or even individuals. For example, one might say "With the rise of streaming services, physical media like DVDs and Blu-rays are going the way of the VHS tape," suggesting that DVDs and Blu-rays are becoming less popular or obsolete, similar to what happened to VHS tapes.

The idiomatic phrase "go the way of" has garnered widespread usage and acceptance in modern English. Its concise nature allows for a succinct description of the expected trajectory of something or someone. This idiom serves as a reminder that change is inevitable and that the fate of various aspects of our lives can be uncertain.

When we say that something will "go the way of the dodo bird," we mean that it will become extinct or obsolete, just like the dodo. This phrase is often used to describe the potential demise of something that is no longer relevant or in demand. For example, one might say "Traditional newspapers are going the way of the dodo bird with the rise of online news platforms," indicating that traditional newspapers are becoming less popular and may eventually disappear.

The phrase "go the way of the dinosaurs" is similar to "go the way of the dodo bird" and is used to describe the potential extinction or obsolescence of something. It draws a comparison to the dinosaurs, which are widely accepted to be extinct. For instance, one might say "Landline telephones are going the way of the dinosaurs in the age of smartphones," suggesting that landline telephones are becoming less common as people rely more on smartphones for communication.

Another variation of the idiom is "go the way of the dodo," which has the same meaning as "go the way of the dodo bird." The addition of "bird" in the original idiom may have been used to emphasize the idea of extinction or obsolescence. For example, one might say "CD players have gone the way of the dodo," indicating that CD players have become outdated and are no longer widely used.

When someone says "go down the road," they are referring to a potential outcome or result. This phrase suggests that someone is embarking on a certain path or is heading towards a specific destination. For instance, one might say "If we continue to neglect the environment, we will go down the road of irreparable damage," indicating that if we don't take action to protect the environment, it will lead to irreversible harm.

The related idiom "go down that road" has a similar meaning to "go down the road." It suggests that someone is considering taking a particular path or course of action. For example, one might say "I don't think we should go down that road of confrontation. It will only lead to more conflict," indicating that engaging in confrontation will only escalate the situation and result in more conflict.

The idiom "go the way of" and its related variations and idioms provide us with a way to describe the potential fate or outcome of something or someone. They allow us to convey the idea of extinction, obsolescence, or a certain path or outcome. These idiomatic expressions serve as reminders of the ever-changing nature of the world and the uncertainty that exists in various aspects of our lives.