It's military, from when units lined up in a formation.
From antiquity to the American Civil War formations were used to increase combat power and ease the handling and direction of large numbers of troops. Keeping your place in the formation during maneuvers who's the mark of a good soldier.
It's only a short jump to use the phrase to mean obedience and conformity.
It's military, from when units lined up in a formation.
From antiquity to the American Civil War formations were used to increase combat power and ease the handling and direction of large numbers of troops. Keeping your place in the formation during maneuvers who's the mark of a good soldier.
It's only a short jump to use the phrase to mean obedience and conformity.