However, it was not just western movies that brought out the phrase “riding shotgun” into popular fiction. One of the earliest popular fiction mentions of the phrase occurred in 1921. A March 27 issue of the Washington Post published a fictional story titled, The Fighting Fool, which was written by Dane Coolidge. In the story, a character named McMonagle told another character named Benson, “…He is ridin’ shotgun for Wells Fargo…”
Changing of the Phrase Throughout History
If it was not for popular culture using the phrase “riding shotgun,” it probably would have gone away like so many other phrases over time. However, it was also popular culture which helped change the meaning of the phrase. When the phrase was first used with stagecoaches, it was rarely ever written about in print to actually document. People just knew the individual in the passenger seat was the shotgun rider. For instance, the Wells Fargo & Co had a stagecoach service, which generally carried bullion. The company would give their shotgun rider, also known as a shotgun messenger, a “coach gun.” This gun was a double-barreled 10 or 12-gauge short shotgun.
Of course, part of the change for the phrase “riding shotgun” is due to a decline and eventual disappearance of stagecoach uses. First, it was the transcontinental railroad which hit growth in 1869. However, some stagecoaches continued to be used. This practice was until the early 1900s when vehicles became commonplace. Naturally, the meaning of the phrase “riding shotgun” would disappear with the stagecoaches. Moreover, while the original meaning of “riding shotgun” did disappear in time, the phrase would make a comeback, but with a bit of a different meaning.
Once Hollywood caught onto the phrase “riding shotgun” it seemed that nearly every wild west type movie would have it somewhere in their script. By the 1950s, the phrase had become so popular in western movies that teenagers took it upon themselves and began using the phrase. However, instead of carrying a shotgun as they would in the stagecoach, the teenagers turned the phrase what would become a popular game around the United States.
Like any game, there are some rules when playing the “calling shotgun” game. However, the main rule is that the first person to yell the word “shotgun” when getting into a car with a few friends or brothers and sisters, gets to ride in the passenger seat of the vehicle. However, there are other rules for if there is a tie on who said the word “shotgun” first or if you are riding with your parents or a couple who is romantically linked. Also, unlike riding shotgun in the stagecoach, the shotgun rider who wins through playing the game does not carry a gun for protection.