The phrase "RIDIN' SHOTGUN" indeed transcends language barriers and geographical boundaries, with its origins deeply rooted in the Wild West, where it found a lasting place in our vernacular. When I had some friends from Belgium in my studio recently, I asked if they ever used the term "shotgun" to claim the front passenger seat during a trip. Their enthusiastic response of "all the time" led to a fascinating discussion about the phrase's origins.
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In the mid to late 1800s, during the era of the Wild West, express messengers were assigned to stagecoaches and train transportation when carrying particularly valuable cargo. These messengers became known as "shotgun messengers" because they typically carried break-over double-barrel shotguns, later known as coach guns. They were not the drivers but occupied the seat alongside the driver to safeguard the precious cargo during transit. An absence of a shotgun messenger signaled to potential bandits that there was nothing of value on board.