riding shotgun

[BlackTooth]

Where does the phrase 'i got shotgun' come from, when riding in a car?

[sft42]

question 36430

For a complete answer to your question click the above for a response to the same question answered by Geofbob a few months ago.

[keithtoo]

The phrase "riding shotgun" or "i got shotgun" is a direct claim to reserve the front passenger seat, next to the driver. The origin of the phrase will come to mind for anyone who has watched an old US Western movie where the stagecoaches would have a stage driver, and often next to the stage driver would be a man with a shotgun to protect from Indians or bandits. That is where the 'shotgun seat' originated.