band [OE] A band in the sense ‘a strip of something’ comes from the same Germanic root as bind [OE] and bond [ME]. Bend [LME] is a variant found in bend sinister [E17th], a broad diagonal stripe from top right to bottom left of a shield, a supposed sign of bastardy. Bandage [L16th] and bandbox [M17th], now a box for carrying hats but originally for carrying neckbands, come from this word. In early use a band [LME] in the sense ‘a group’, which also comes via French from a Germanic route, usually consisted of armed men, robbers, or assassins. The first groups of musicians called a band [M17th] were attached to regiments of the army. Banner [ME] is related. A bandwagon [M19th] was a wagon used for carrying the band in a parade or procession. The word now occurs more often in phrases such as to jump on the bandwagon. This use developed in America in the late 19th century.