2006-12-06 09:27:23 · 17 answers · asked by beach b 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
When people took stagecoaches to the "old west" someone drove the horse team and someone rode "shotgun" to protect everyone on board. Literally with a shotgun!
2006-12-06 09:30:01 · answer #1 · answered by sixcannonballs 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
On a stagecoach, the guy that held the reins of the team of horses sayt on the left, and next to him was a guy that guarded the stagecoach from robbers, Injuns, scallywags and bandidos, who held a shotgun.
No one likes to be hit with a shotgun, and even a poor shot will hit some part of you.
You really need to see some more Western movies. How the West was Won was one, Stagecoach was another.
If you want funny, Wagons East is a parody you will enjoy if you have seen the first two.
And also Blazing Saddles.
2006-12-06 17:32:52 · answer #2 · answered by Richard E 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the Old West, the driver of the stagecoach had the reins in his hands and needed someone to "ride shotgun" to watch for the bad guys. The front seat opposite the driver became known as "riding shotgun".
2006-12-06 17:32:41 · answer #3 · answered by loufedalis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the days of the stagecoach, one rider rode up on top in front with the driver. He carried a shotgun to defend against robbers and justifiably p*ssed off native Americans.
2006-12-06 17:31:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe this origginated from the old west when the stage driver had a person sitting next to him with a shotgun for desparadoes.
2006-12-06 17:30:05 · answer #5 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
During the twenties there was the Mafia and Elliot Ness chasing them. There were boards on the side of the cars. In pursuit of the criminals, one of the drivers holding their machine guns would ride shotgun.. So thus came shot/ gun. It gave the FBI and criminals a closer range with a gun that was not easy to operate in a car at 30-40 mph. You had to get a jump on the criminals before they were able to get one of you.
2006-12-06 17:39:15 · answer #6 · answered by Sports Maven 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From the old west,stagecoaches,the driver usually had someone riding to his right with a shotgun,in case of a robbery.
2006-12-06 17:30:10 · answer #7 · answered by festeringhump 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When there were stagecoaches 2 people rode up front, one drove and one held a shotgun to protect the stagecoach
2006-12-06 17:28:51 · answer #8 · answered by Elizabeth L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Way back when, people used to have the person in the passenger carry a shotgun to shoot anyone who would try to rob from the people in the vehicle.
2006-12-06 17:29:14 · answer #9 · answered by Goofball 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it could come from the age of stage coaches when someone would be employed to ride next to the driver on top of the coach. His job would be to protect passengers or, more importantly, the mail, from highwaymen and bandits. He would be able to fend off any attacks and leave the driver free to whip on the horses to gallop away from trouble.
2006-12-06 17:33:34 · answer #10 · answered by Mimette 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋