To call shotgun is to claim the right to sit in the passenger seat when riding a car or other vehicle. In the United States, Canada, Australia and several countries in Europe such as Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and the United Kingdom this is a tradition among teenagers and young adults of trying to get to sit in the seat next to the driver. In contemporary tradition, in order to claim that 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.

Origins

To call the passenger-side front seat of a passenger vehicle "the shotgun" is an apparent, though disputable, reference to men who rode on stage coaches next to the driver with a shotgun to protect the stage from banditos (highwaymen). In the late 19th century, the man who sat next to the stage driver with a shotgun was actually called the shotgun messenger. He usually sat to the left of the driver, who had the position on the right.^{[citation needed]} Buffalo soldiers guard a Concord style stagecoach somewhere in the American West, ca. ... A pump-action and two semi-automatic action shotguns, 20 boxes of shotgun shells, a clay trap, and three boxes of clay pigeons. ... Butch Cassidy, a famous outlaw An outlaw, a person living the lifestyle of outlawry, is most familiar to contemporary readers as a stock character in Western movies. ... Folk image of a mounted highwayman This page is about the criminal occupation of highwayman, for groups of that name, see The Highwaymen. ... In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a private express messanger or guard, especially on a stagecoach but also a train, in charge of overseeing and guarding a valuable private shipment, such as the contents of a strongbox or safe. ...

Today, many automobile passengers consider the front passenger seat preferable to riding in rear seats due largely to greater control over leg room, an unobstructed view out the windshield, and better access to the vehicle's stereo and air conditioning system, not to mention easier entry and exit from the vehicle. In addition, some passengers find that riding in the front seat will reduce car sickness. There is also a tradition in family life that the adults sit in front, the kids in the back; hence sitting shotgun includes you with the adults. No use of the term is recorded during the actual years during which stage coaches were in use; the first known reference to "riding shotgun" in print occurred on 27 March 1921,^{[citation needed]} and 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] The windshield or windscreen of an aircraft, automobile, or motorcycle, is the front window. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Note: in the broadest sense, air conditioning can refer to any form of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (87th in leap years). ... 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The cast of radios Gunsmoke: Howard McNear (Doc), William Conrad (Matt), Georgia Ellis (Kitty) and Parley Baer (Chester) Gunsmoke was a long-running American old-time radio and television Western drama created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. ...

Rules

Primarily, there are four different rules of calling shotgun. Only one rule is in effect at a given time. The rule that is followed is determined by the driver. ^{(dubious assertion—see talk page)}

The three main rules are as follows (accompanied by a simple rhyme to help you remember):

• Shotgun may be called as soon as a driver has been established and the passengers are outside. This is the most common method for calling shotgun. "As soon as you see a cloud or a star, shotgun decides where you sit in the car."^{[citation needed]}

• Shotgun may be called as soon as a driver is established and the car of choice is in view of the passengers. "As soon as the car's in your line of vision, you may make the shotgun decision."^{[citation needed]}

• Shotgun may be called by any passenger as soon as a driver has been established, your group is leaving a building to goto the drivers car, and you are outside the building being left. "No matter where you are, either morning, noon, or night; shotgun gives you the front seat right."^{[citation needed]}

Misconceptions

Some people misunderstand the idea behind calling out "shotgun", thinking that it is a transitive verb used to claim something as yours before anyone else does^[2] (such as "dibs" or "bags"). Hence the redundantly incorrect usage: "I shotgun the front seat!"^[3]. Once understood this way, it is then used incorrectly in other contexts, such as "I shotgun the last piece of cake!".^[4].

Optional rules

There are various optional regional rules that players have developed over the years. Among these, some include

• Shotgun may be overruled by call shotgun from a location of higher elevation such as a curb, another car, or even a streetlight.

• Lifesize stuffed animals are required to sit Shotgun if there are enough seats for other passengers.

• Girl / Boy friends are automatically awarded shotgun during the first stages of dating. Once they have established themselves as members of your "crew", they must fend for themselves. Once married, automatic shotgun takes effect again.

• Doing something incredibly insane, funny, or dangerous will land you honorary shotgun for the day. You and your friends must decide what is appropriate.

• If a player calls shotgun, and then attempts to open the door while it is still locked, he has performed a "false start." A "False Start" defers ownership of shotgun privileges, and another player may claim the prize.

• A rule generally followed by teenagers more than adults is that siblings cannot sit shotgun, no matter if there is anyone else in the car.

• On long journeys the tallest or widest passenger gets the shotgun rights automatically.

• If more than one passenger says shotgun at the same time, the winner can be decided by the first to reach the car and touch it. Enactment of this rule is at the drivers discretion.

• In cases where there is more than one seat up front (such as a pick-up truck), one is allowed to call "double barrel" if they do not call shotgun. This will allow them to sit in the middle between shotgun and the driver.

• The driver of the vehicle reserves the right to overrule any pre-established shotgun calling decision for whatever reason. No explanation is necessary.

• In the event two people call shotgun and cannot decide who was the first to say it, a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors is declared as the tiebreaker.

Blitzing a shotgun

This rule may vary, due to different interpretations of the game. Please add other ways in which this concept has been played.^{[citation needed]}

The "blitzing" rule occurs when the vehicle has been spotted by a passenger. This passenger yells "Shotgun no blitz!", which means that nobody can even attempt to take the front passenger seat from him/her. If a person says "Shotgun" without saying "no blitz", other passengers have the right to call "Blitz", thus cancelling the previous Shotgun call. If someone says "Shotgun", this phrase, followed by "no blitz", as mentioned, can be said by another passenger, who will automatically take the front seat from the passenger who just said "shotgun". In some areas an "audible" may be called. Once someone has yelled "Shotgun no blitz" another passenger has a right to call out "Audible" and when this happens it is a sprint to the car between the original "shotgun" caller and the one who called "Audible." First there gets "shotgun"^{[citation needed]}

In some regions, after the second passenger successfully calls "blitz," there is a race to the car. The first to touch the passenger-side car door wins the "shotgun." (Depending on the rules of the driver, the person who touches the handle of the passenger-side door wins.)

Cracks on shotgun

A variant on "Blitz" found in some places, after a passenger yells "shotgun" another passenger can simply yell "cracks" to override the original caller. Once cracks is called once it cannot be once more cracked. This is prevented by "Shotgun, no cracks" much like any of the other rule variations. This variation seems to be most prevalent in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. In the midwest, a common variant is "no joust" as in "Shotgun, no joust", which can be expanded further to the fullest term "Shotgun, no joust, put a stamp on it, end of story".

Battling a shotgun

Battling occurs when a passenger yells "shotgun" and another passenger yells "battle." Battle requires the original shotgun caller to play a game of rock-paper-scissors with the passenger who called battle. A passenger may call, "Shotgun, no battle," to prevent others from challenging him/her. This can also be called "shotgun, no rock" in the pacific northwest and the term battling may also be called challenge. So the saying may go "Shotgun, no challenge."

Jousting a shotgun

The Jousting Rule is very much like the Blitzing rule only "Shotgun No Joust" is said instead. It is very common in the mid-western states.

Survivor shotgun

Survivor Shotgun works in the same way as "Blitzing", but unlike "Blitzing", Survivor Shotgun allows the driver to get involved. This style of Shotgun play is potentially harmful, not only for all participants, but to the vehicle involved, depending on the intensity of the game, as well as the environment played in.

Once within sight of the vehicle, all passengers are eligible to call "shotgun". If another passenger wishes to dispute the initial "shotgun" call, "survivor" can then be called. To prevent a “survivor” challenge from other passengers, one must call “shotgun, no survivor”.

If “survivor” is called, “shotgun” is then awarded to the person that is seated in the passenger seat, with the seatbelt fastened, when the driver places the key into the car’s ignition. The seat may be acquired through any means necessary. This often results in a race to the vehicle, followed by a pushing match over the door handle. To avoid this pushing match, different tactics can be used. Some examples of tactics:

-climbing in through the back/driver door

-tripping, or otherwise knocking off balance, other players during the race to the vehicle

-throwing items belonging to other players as far from the car as possible, thus allowing you to take the seat without opposition

-stealing the keys from the driver, allowing more time to fight for the seat

This style of Shotgun is prevalent in Northern California, having originated in Yolo County.

Bitch, Right/Left Wing and Dead Hooker

An extension of Shotgun, used when the entire car will be full. The backseat middle position, considered to be the worst seat in the car, is called "Bitch". If one passenger calls "Shotgun," the others may call "Not Bitch," ensuring that they will get a window seat in the backseat. Also, the "Bitch" can also refer to the seat between the passenger and the driver in trucks or pickups. This seat can also be called or declined as said above.

When riding in a full back seat with a driver or shotgun rider that are taller than normal, riders can call 'Right wing' or 'Left wing' designating that they will ride in the seat next to the right window or left window to stop from being cramped by a front seat that is pushed all the way back. If three people are riding in the back, the one that does not call one of the wings automatically rides Bitch. Specifically in Georgia, but perhaps in other parts of the USA, the terms right and left wing are often refered to as right and left "nut" in a sophomoric attempt at testicle humor. Instead of calling "shotgun" or "not bitch," you might call "right nut" if you want to sit in the right rear window seat.

Right-wing in some areas is also refered to as "Cobain" ( in reference to Kurt Cobain being behind the shotgun) or "pistol" (oftenly used in the southeast). The seat behind "shotgun" is desireable because of a potential increase of legroom and also because it is not "bitch." Kurt Donald Cobain (February 20, 1967 – c. ...

In some areas, like Texas, a call of "window" is acceptable to ensure a window seat. Such calls usually begin with a person calling "shotgun," and two people calling "window." in these cases, a call of "window" ensures only that the caller will not sit "bitch," or in the middle of the back seat.

An English variation of this rule substitutes the term Right Wing for 'Slingshot', and the Left Wing for 'Pistol', with the additional middle backseat termed as 'Gimp'.

When more passengers are to ride in the vehicle than there are seats, the trunk space is referred to as Dead Hooker. In a manner similar to calling "not bitch" a passenger may also call "not dead hooker" to avoid riding in the trunk of the vehicle.

Stamp

After someone has called "Shotgun, no blitz" another passenger may call "stamp" thus overriding the "shotgun" and taking the desired seat. "Stamp" can be overridden by another passenger calling out "Double stamp" they then are entitled to the front seat. A triple stamp can not be called, because no one is allowed to triple stamp a double stamp. This can be stated while calling double stamp, to clear up any misconceptions.

See also

• Five Second Rule
• Dibs

The five-second rule is a popular North American old wives tale. ... Dibs (also known as bags, bagsy, or bagsie) is a common convention used primarily in the U.S. and U.K. by friends or siblings to reserve or declare full or partial ownership of a community resource, such as a chair or communal food. ...

References

1. ^ Staff (2004-04-13). What's the origin of "riding shotgun"?. The Straight Dope. Chicago Reader. Retrieved on 2006-07-26.
2. ^ Google Search: "I shotgun the". Retrieved on 2006-10-19.
3. ^ Islamicaweb Archive. Retrieved on 2006-10-19.
4. ^ Logomachon Archive. Retrieved on 2006-10-19.

Cecil Adams is the pen name of the author of The Straight Dope since 1973, a popular question and answer column published in The Chicago Reader, syndicated in thirty newspapers in the United States and Canada, and available online. ... The Chicago Reader is an alternative newsweekly in Chicago, Illinois. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 26 is the 207th day (208th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 158 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 19 is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 19 is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 19 is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• The Official Shotgun Rules
• Shotgun Rules at Bored.com