2006-06-14 09:06:36 · 12 answers · asked by akt2010 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
The (dubious) etymology I had always heard was that it came from the Hollywood representation (however truthful) of stagecoaches. The driver would have his hands full with the reigns, so the person sitting beside him (where modern automobiles would have the passenger seat) would handle the shotgun. So, you have the driver, and a person riding with shotgun beside him.
It may not be true, but it's thruthy enough for me.
2006-06-14 09:14:14 · answer #1 · answered by hogan.enterprises 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Riding "shotgun" is a term that comes from the Old West. The stage coach company would send a rider along with the driver in case the stage was attacked. Usually the rider would carry a shot gun because it is easier to hit what you're shooting at. The stage coaches were common targets for bandits because along with regular passengers they also carried cash boxes and valuable mail.
2006-06-14 09:14:35 · answer #2 · answered by In the light 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two sources that I am aware of.
1. The cops that patrol in pairs with the shot gun mounted on the dash on the right side. The cop on the right has the shotgun and the responsibility for getting it out of the car.
2. Back in the "good ole days" when country boys could hunt from a car the right seat was the one who held the gun and the driver steered the car to get a good shot.
2006-06-14 09:12:59 · answer #3 · answered by yes_its_me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a reference to the old Stagecoach days. The Driver had to have both hands free for the Reins to control the horses. So they had a passenger ride next to him carrying a Shotgun to defend them against Robbers and Native Americans who regularly attacked, butchered and robbed people traveling. It was a dangerous time...Great Question!
2006-06-14 09:11:46 · answer #4 · answered by FreedomLover 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its an old term from the 1930's. Bank robbers would have someone in the front passenger seat with a shot gun. To fire bullets at police or the G-Men.
2006-06-14 09:11:01 · answer #5 · answered by Joseph V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because during the western times, when people where riding in the carriages with horses one person would be controlling the horse while the other one would hold a shot gun in case anyone tried to shoot/hurt them.
2006-06-14 09:20:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It refers to the guard on a stage coach, that carried several weapons including a shotgun to protect the strongbox and the passengers.
2006-06-14 18:01:03 · answer #7 · answered by .45 Peacemaker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the old days of Stagecoaches, the driver sat on the left seat, and a fellow with a shotgun sat on the right side, and it was his responsibility to fend off any stagecoach robbers.
2006-06-14 09:11:16 · answer #8 · answered by Jolly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
back in the old west the stage coach always had a man riding with a shotgun in case of robberies
2006-06-14 09:11:39 · answer #9 · answered by matt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The person riding "shotgun" was right next to the stagecoach driver....
2006-06-14 09:11:22 · answer #10 · answered by Mac 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋