ie to sit in the front passenger seat of a car
2006-09-12 22:33:40 · 10 answers · asked by kat 3 in Travel ➔ Other - Destinations
The term "Shotgun" refers to the front passenger seat of an automobile. "Calling Shotgun" is the act of claiming the position of Shotgun for one's self. As this position is the most coveted of all positions when riding in a car, the following list of rules has been created to ensure that Shotgun can be acquired in a fair and equitable manner by any passenger of an automobile.
The history of calling "Shotgun" goes back to the days of covered wagons and the Wild West. On a trip across the plains, the driver of a wagon would hold the reins of his horse team and concentrate on driving. This left him and the occupants of his wagon susceptible to sneak attacks from bandits and thieves. To avoid this atrocious circumstance it became necessary for one person to sit next to the driver with a shotgun and fend off the enemy.
Defending against bandits is no longer the priority of Shotgun however, but it has evolved into a pre-driving ritual that is experienced before almost every car ride across America and even the world. Because of the obvious evolution that has already occurred with Shotgun, we ask you to consider Shotgun as a living entity and be aware that it is always changing for the better good of society.
2006-09-12 22:59:06 · answer #1 · answered by shiningthowra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In earlier times, a man would ride on the seat beside the driver aboard the coach or stagecoach. He would have a shotgun to protect the passengers, mail, and valuables .
Hence, the term, "to ride shotgun"
:)
2006-09-13 05:45:15 · answer #2 · answered by AG959 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Guard someone or something while in transit, as in The reporter found himself in the odd position of riding shotgun for an accused mobster. This term alludes to the armed defender of a stagecoach who sat beside the driver to protect against marauders and bandits. Later it was transferred to anyone riding in the front passenger seat of a motor vehicle, as well as to the more general function of protection.
2006-09-13 05:36:27 · answer #3 · answered by srihari_reddy_s 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably from stage coach days where the up front passenger carried a shotgun for protection.
2006-09-13 06:42:24 · answer #4 · answered by FrogDog 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The man next to the driver on stage coaches was a guard who carried a shotgun. Henece, the term
2006-09-13 05:35:56 · answer #5 · answered by Isis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it comes from the horse drawn coaches in the old days. Since most areas even in England weren't lit or patrolled, robbers could easily take advantage of the situation. So someone would sit on top of the coach to the side of the horse driver, and this guy would have a rifle or blunderbuss or something. Later in the American West, the stagecoaches needed this sort of protection again, except we carry shottys. :)
2006-09-13 05:42:40 · answer #6 · answered by niwriffej 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the shotgun rider sat beside the driver on stage coaches and protected the coach with a shotgun from bandits, hence the term.
2006-09-13 05:41:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Back in the wild old west, they have somebody ride on the horse drawn carriage, armed with a shotgun, to protect againts bandit attacks.
2006-09-13 05:38:29 · answer #8 · answered by pogi 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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the person who sat next to the stage coach or wagon driver , carried a shot gun to protect the coach from attack hence ride shot gun means sit next to the driver
2006-09-13 05:35:32 · answer #9 · answered by brinlarrr 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it comes from the old west the person that sets on the booth of a stage coatch was called shot gun because he was suposed to protect any thing and everyone on the stage
2006-09-13 05:39:16 · answer #10 · answered by Neil G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋