Up until the United States September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the phrase “riding shotgun” was used as a game. Unfortunately, the terrorist attacks once again started to change the meaning of the phrase. In order to try to protect the staff and passengers on the airlines better, they started to employ air marshals. These air marshals are often told they are “riding shotgun.” However, unlike the original shotgun riders who were employed to protect the stagecoach, the air marshals do not carry shotguns.
A Historical Riding Shotgun Story
While we have mainly been focusing on popular culture for our riding shotgun stories, there is one famous nonfiction story that details a shotgun messenger. This setting for this story is in Tombstone, Arizona on March 15, 1881. On this night, there was a Kinnear & Company stagecoach which was hauling about $26,000 silver bullion, which would be about $659,234 today. The stagecoach was heading from Tombstone to Benson, Arizona. The shotgun messenger on this stagecoach was named Bob Paul, who had lost in the election for sheriff earlier.
However, because the driver, Budd Philpot, of the stagecoach had fallen ill on the trip, Paul had switched places with him. Once they were outside of Contention City, they encountered a male on the road, who was forcing them to stop. Then, three other men came out and attempted to rob the stagecoach. Bob Paul took his gun and shot at the men from the driver’s seat. Throughout the fight, Paul had emptied his gun. At the end of the encounter, one of the men, Bill Leonard, was injured. Both Philpot and the passenger of the stagecoach, Peter Roerig were killed in the shooting.
Of course, during the shooting, the horses got scared, and it took Paul a little over a mile before he could gain control of the team again. The robbers were not able to win any of the bullion as when the horses got scared, they ran off and the robbers were not able to catch up to the stagecoach. After everything, Paul was quoted saying that he believed the first shot fired, which was the shot that killed Philpot, was meant for him.
While looking at the way the phrase “riding shotgun” has changed throughout history, a person cannot help but wonder if the phrase will continue to change. The history of the phrase shows major changes in meaning occurring in the 1950s and then after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It can make a person wonder what the meaning of the phrase “riding shotgun” will be in another 50 years.
Where did we find our stuff? Here are our sources:
“The meaning and origin of the expression: Riding shotgun.” Gary Martin, The Phrase Finder. 2018.
“The term “riding shotgun” comes from the Old West.” Ian Harvey, Vintage News. March 2, 2017.
“Riding Shotgun: Not As Dangerous As It Sounds”. VOA News. March 09, 2019.
“Riding Shotgun.” Rob Nixon, TCM. 2018.
“Stagecoach Buckaroo.” IMDB. 2018.
“Stagecoach (1939).” Film site. 2018.
“The Official Rules for Calling Shotgun.” Shotgun Rules. 2018.
“What’s the History Behind ‘Riding Shotgun’.” Angela Tague, Advanced Auto Parts. June 6, 2018.