0825 Ride shotgun / Riding shotgun

Explanation

To sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle. Often used playfully when claiming that seat (I call shotgun!).

Origin

American English, mid-20th century, popularized by Western films and television shows.
It harks back to the days of stagecoaches traveling through potentially dangerous territory. An armed guard, often carrying a shotgun for defense against bandits or attacks, would typically sit next to the driver. This position became known as riding shotgun.
The phrase transitioned to mean occupying the front passenger seat in any vehicle.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal (claiming):

Dibs on front!
Bagsy front! (UK)
Shotty! (Aus/NZ slang shortening)

More Formal/Neutral:

May I sit in the front?
Would you like the front seat?

Situational Appropriateness

Informal.
Very common among friends, family, peers, especially when casually deciding who sits where in a car.
Calling shotgun is particularly associated with younger people but is widely understood.
Not appropriate in formal contexts (e.g., with a chauffeur, in a limousine service, discussing seating with a formal client).

Misunderstanding Warnings

The literal meaning involves a weapon (shotgun). Non-native speakers unfamiliar with the idiom might initially be confused or even alarmed by the reference to a gun, especially given its violent historical roots. Context (getting into a car) usually makes the intended meaning (front passenger seat) clear.

Examples

Who wants to ride shotgun?
You drove last time, so I get to ride shotgun.
(As kids run to the car) Kid 1: I call shotgun! Kid 2: Aw, no fair!
Mind if I ride shotgun? I get carsick in the back.

Dialogue

Context

(Group walks towards a car)

Maya: Shotgun!

Leo: Aw, man, you always get it!

Chloe: Haha, too slow, Leo! Alright Maya, you ride shotgun, Leo and I will take the back.

Response Patterns

To I call shotgun!: Acknowledgment (Okay, you got it.), mock disappointment (Darn!), playful argument about rules (Doesn't count, I couldn't see the car!).
To Who wants to ride shotgun?: Volunteering (Me!, I will!), declining (You can have it.).
To an offer: Acceptance (Sure, thanks!), declining (Nah, I'm fine in the back.).

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After someone successfully claims shotgun:

They take the front passenger seat.
Others get in the back.
Playful banter about the rules might occur.

After asking who wants it:

Someone volunteers or is assigned the seat.

Conversation Starter

Yes. Asking Who wants to ride shotgun? or calling Shotgun! often initiates the process of people getting into assigned seats in a vehicle.

Intonation

When claiming the seat (I call SHOTGUN!), it's often loud, quick, and competitive/excited.
When asking or offering (Want to ride SHOTGUN?), it's usually neutral and conversational.

Generation Differences

Extremely common among children, teenagers, and young adults (especially calling shotgun).
Understood and used by older generations as well, though perhaps less likely to engage in the competitive calling of the seat.

Regional Variations

Originated in American English and is ubiquitous there and in Canada.
Also very widely understood and commonly used in Australia and New Zealand (sometimes shortened to shotty).
Increasingly common and understood in the UK, though the traditional alternative for claiming the seat is bagsy the front seat.

Plead the Fifth

🎲 For the birds

[0825] Ride shotgun / Riding shotgun