What does it mean to be somewhere 'with bells on'?

"Be there with bells on. Arriving 'with bells on' -- meaning happy and delighted to attend -- goes back to the days before automobile, when it was the custom to deck out with the fanciest harness the horse that drew the carriage for special occasions. That, of course, was the harness 'with bells on.'" From the "Morris Dictionary of Word Phrase Origins" by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, Publishers, New York, 1977, 1988).

To be there with bells on means 'eagerly, ready to enjoy oneself.' One source suggests that this phrase arose when horses and carriages were the primary mode of transportation. On special occasions, say on the way to a party, the horses would be fitted with bells for a festive sound, echoing the carriage passengers' plans to enjoy themselves.

Those are cowbells that you hear. They do this for many events in the Olympics. It's a tradition that originates from the Swiss Alps where many of the hills that skiers used to ski down were used by ranchers for cow grazing. The cows had bells on them so the ranchers would know where they are. When the skiers skied down the hills, they would hear the cow bells. It then became a tradition for spectators to ring cowbells when watching the skiers race down the hills during the early years of skiing competitions in Europe. The tradition was spread to the Olympics ... the first modern Winter Olympics (operated by the IOC) took place in Europe. They're now the most popular noisemaker for outdoor winter sports events as the cowbells are easy to hear, and people can't hear clapping when they have mittens on.

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RE:

What does it mean to be somewhere 'with bells on'?

You've got your answer. Just wondered if the origin might go back to court jesters who had little bells attached to their costumes.

the phrase "with bells on".. means you'll be excited to be there.. . you'll be thrilled to go.

He or she arrived "with bells on" ...means being happy, excited.

Waiting in anticipation

on time

all dressed up, ready to go!

called on the carpet