Who is Uncle Sam, and Where Did He Come From?
What is the origin of this well-known American character?
Uncle Sam. Everyone knows this expression, and we typically use it to refer to the United States government, especially the IRS, when it comes to collecting taxes. When taxes are deducted from your paycheck, Uncle Sam collects what’s owed to him. Did you have to pay yet another tax on a service or goods? Yep, you’ve got to pay Uncle Sam for everything. Uncle Sam ultimately personifies the American taxation system.
But have you ever wondered where this expression comes from? Was there an actual Uncle Sam who once existed and was known for collecting taxes? Was there an equivalent of the IRS, before it was formed in 1862, that imposed taxes on Americans? Was Uncle Sam a persona, an institution, or perhaps neither?
I enjoy researching and digging into the origins of terms, phrases, and other linguistics-related concepts. So, let’s take a quick dive into the history of Uncle Sam, a well-known character in American society.
The History of How Uncle Sam Came to Be
There is usually a historical aspect to most phrases and concepts, and Uncle Sam is no exception.
