Where does the term Bellwether come from?

The term "bellwether" originates from the practice of placing a bell on a castrated ram (wether) in a flock of sheep. The ram, often leading the flock, would wear the bell, allowing shepherds to easily identify its location and follow the direction of the sheep. Over time, "bellwether" evolved to refer to anything that indicates trends or signals future outcomes, particularly in politics and economics. Thus, it symbolizes a leading indicator or a predictor of broader movements.