Call Shotgun

Call Shotgun

Welcome to English in a Minute.

A shotgun is a gun with a long barrel.

It is mainly used for hunting.

So, what does it mean to call shotgun?

For tomorrow’s work trip…

Ashley is coming with us.

I call shotgun!

You can’t call shotgun.

Look, I know usually you can’t call shotgun the day before a car trip…

But I just did. So, I’m sitting in front!

No, you’re not.

Ashley is driving. So, her dog Dublin will be riding shotgun.

When you call shotgun, you are claiming the seat next to the driver.

This expression comes from days of

the wild west.

In a covered wagon or stagecoach, the person sitting next to the driver held a shotgun.

This was for protection.

And that’s English in a Minute!