Buzz
We learn a lot about good manners growing up, from not speaking with our mouths full to politely excusing ourselves after a big burp. But perhaps the most crucial lesson is knowing when to claim the "shotgun" seat before anyone else does when entering a car.
In the U.S., saying "I call shotgun" is a common and widely-recognized declaration that the speaker is laying claim to the front passenger seat. On a trip with several passengers, calling "shotgun" ensures a seat with more space and a better view than the backseaters.
If you think the term "shotgun" is tied to the Old West, you’re partly correct.
Shotgun, The Wild West, and Hollywood
In the 1880s, when stagecoaches were a familiar sight, the driver would typically assign a seat beside them to a colleague carrying a weapon, tasked with protecting the coach from any would-be robbers or troublemakers. These passengers often carried shotguns, as the powerful blast from one could more easily target attackers from a bumpy, moving vehicle.
It’s easy to assume that the term "shotgun" comes from this historical context. And it does—though not exactly in the Old West itself.
There are no records from that time using the term shotgun to describe the side seat of a stagecoach. It wasn’t until Western stories began to dominate mass media that the phrase started to gain traction in American culture, with writers in pulp magazines and TV shows using the term riding shotgun to describe a companion armed and ready for action.
One of the first mentions appeared in the 1921 short story "The Fighting Fool" by Dane Coolidge, where a character is described as “ridin’ shotgun for Wells Fargo.” The phrase also made its way into the 1939 John Wayne film Stagecoach, where the iconic line “I’m gonna ride shotgun” is spoken.
It’s likely that modern references to historical events helped the phrase become widespread starting in the mid-20th century, especially as the emerging medium of television became saturated with primetime Westerns. (In 1954, André De Toth directed a film starring Randolph Scott titled Riding Shotgun.)
The Shotgun Etiquette
While the rules can vary by region, it’s widely agreed that calling shotgun is only valid if made outside the vehicle and in full view of it—and the call must be loud enough for at least one other person in the car to hear. If multiple people shout at the same time, they can resolve the issue with a round of rock-paper-scissors.
There are certain exceptions to the shotgun rule—taller individuals are usually given the front seat, as are the significant others of the driver. But there’s one exception that always takes precedence: if a mom is present, all other shotgun calls are void—moms always get the front seat.
