Riding shotgun
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To ride shotgun is to sit in the front passenger seat when riding a car or other vehicle, a phrase commonly heard in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is also heard in several European countries such as Germany, Iceland, and the United Kingdom, as well as other countries with large English-speaking populations such as South Africa. In contemporary tradition, in order to claim the seat, one must "call shotgun" according to some set of informal rules. To call shotgun is, at minimum, to yell out "shotgun" while approaching the vehicle.
History
The first known reference to "riding shotgun" in print occurred on 27 March, 1921, when it was used to refer to riding as an armed guard in the front of a stagecoach. The first use of the phrase in print to refer to automobiles occurred in 1954 when the TV series Gunsmoke became extremely popular, and used the terminology of riding shotgun nearly weekly.[1]
Today many automobile passengers consider riding in the front passenger seat preferable to riding in rear seats largely due to it having greater control over leg room, an unobstructed view of the road in front, and access to the vehicle's audio and air conditioning systems. Another benefit is that entry and exit from the vehicle is often easier, especially in two-door cars. In addition, some passengers find that riding in the front seat reduces car sickness. There is also a tradition in family life that adults sit in the front and children in the rear; hence sitting shotgun provides a sense of adulthood.
Prior to the advent of seatbelts and airbags, the front passenger seat was considered the most dangerous to be seated in if there were an accident; therefore the shotgun position also came to be known as the suicide seat.
Rules
Although the rules for riding shotgun and the methods of calling it are very informal and can vary greatly between regions, there are a few basic rules that are, for the most part, universally followed, detailed below. It should be remembered the the driver of the vehicle has the final say in which set of rules are used for his or her vehicle.
Traditional rules
- Shotgun must be called loudly enough to be heard by at least one other future occupant of the vehicle.
- It can only be called when the person calling shotgun can see the vehicle or is within arms reach of the car (through a window does not count).
- One can only call it on the journey to the vehicle.
- If the partner of the vehicle's driver is travelling, said partner gets automatic choice of seat (usually front, therefore shotgun is negated)
Blitz or Battle rule
"Blitz" may be called after somebody has already called shotgun. This voids the shotgun call and whoever gets to the seat first receives it. One may also call "shotgun no blitz" before blitz is called to negate a blitz should anybody call it. A "blitz" can also be called a "challenge," or "chal" for short. In other regions or families a variation of the "blitz" call, the "battle" call, exists. The "battle" call works in similar fashion to the "blitz" call, with the exception that the contest is usually in the form of a round of rock, paper, scissors. The preemptive anti-battle call, "shotgun no battle," is often employed.
In some circles, the "blitz rule" may also be negated by shouting "sniper." This is often shouted by the original contender for the shotgun position, creating a battle of wits between them and the offending "blitzer." A sniper beats "shotgun" and the "blitzer" in this case because, hypothetically, a sniper can attack from greater range than a shotgun. This process can be continued by yelling "tank," followed by "starship," and finally "gundam." A gundam being, in theory, a large flight-capable robot and the most powerful military unit conceivable, is superior to all others. Typically, if the spot has not been taken by the time "gundam" has been called, the dispute is settled through a match of rock, paper, and scissors, or through a vigorous fist fight.
Bro-gun rule
The bro-gun rule is a rule designed to reverse the self-centered nature of calling shotgun. The term "bro-gun" originates from the word "bro," slang for brother or friend, combined with the last syllable of "shotgun." By calling bro-gun and then stating the name of another person, one is demonstrating an act of kindness by reserving the seat for them. It is customary for that person then to return the favor at a later time. The purpose for the rule is to reduce the competitive aspect of calling shotgun.
Reload rule
It is at the discretion of the driver of the vehicle to be able to "reload" at will. This act involves the driver shouting out "reload" after shotgun has been called, effectively negating the call and allowing another person to call shotgun.
Shotgun! Rock & No Rock! Rule
An optional rule that any person except the driver can shout ‘Rock!’ to steal the shotgun from the first shotgun caller. Therefore every shotgun call should be followed by ‘No Rock’ in order to prevent anyone of rocking your call.
Shotgun! Not doing it! Rule
If a task needs completing yet no one wishes to do it then this rule can be quite handy. When the task is first pointed out (i.e. taking out trash, or as it’s known in the UK, the rubbish) some one can shout out ‘Shotgun! Not doing it!’ and the last person in the near vicinity to shout(usually within earshot of the room) must complete the task.
It should be noted that after the first ‘Shotgun! Not doing it!’ a simple shout of ‘Shotgun!’ is usually enough however local variations do apply.
If it is difficult to determine who was the last to call, someone may call 'Knees'. The last person to drop down onto BOTH knees must do the task.
Shotgun Action Rule
This is a variation on the traditional shotgun "call". Instead of making an actual call of shotgun, one needs to go through the motions of shooting an imaginary shotgun (cocking, aiming, and firing) at the front passenger door, normally associated with making a sound similar to a shotgun going off. This requires the winner to be able to see the vehicle as well as be the fastest shooter. In the case of a tie, the winner is decided by the driver based on style points.
The art of the Shotgun Action Rule is perfected by one Mr. Adam Toogood, who holds the current UK record as the fastest & most realistic imaginary shotgun shooter.
It should be noted that shooting an actual firearm at the front passenger door is grounds for a life ban from the shotgun game.
See also
References
- ^ Staff (2004-04-13). "What's the origin of "riding shotgun"?". The Straight Dope. Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2006-07-26.