The word �shotgun� has many uses today, and throughout time has had many different uses.  The most common or popular use of this word today is a teenager calling �shotgun� in order to get the front passenger�s side seat.  When there are a group of friends out, someone will call �shotgun� so that they do not have to sit in the back.  Of course by doing so, a couple people may call �shotgun� at the same time and sometimes it begins a race to the car.  Most people yell �shotgun� when they are on their way, or walking towards the car.  This is why people may call it at the same time, because they are all thinking the same thing, �God, I do not want to have to sit in that tiny, cramped backseat.�  Therefore, when �shotgun� is called a race usually follows.  If you call �shotgun� but don�t make it to the front seat first than you are likely to not win the fight over the seat.  Why is the front seat so important?  The answer to this question is that teenagers enjoy being up front so they do not feel excluded.  The younger age group, such as high school and early college students, usually use �shotgun� with this definition.  It is not common to hear a senior citizen yell, �Shotgun.�  If this would occur, there would certainly be a lot of stares.

         The most obvious use of the word is an actual gun, called a shotgun.  Most people when hearing the word �shotgun� probably think of the weapon used to kill animals, or in some cases, people.  This would probably be the most common thought when the word �shotgun� is used.  When the older generation hears the younger generation say �shotgun� when they are running to a car, they probably are thinking, �Oh my lord they have a gun.�  This is due to the fact that this use of the word is so new that it is not widely known throughout past generations.  It has recently been used by teenagers of the twentieth century.  Although past generations may not understand, it has become common knowledge among teens today.  But there are also many other uses for this word.  Many people also use this word to describe a hasty marriage.  People will say they had a �shotgun marriage.�  This means a hasty quick marriage, usually done because the bride is pregnant. (OED)  �Shotgun� in general is used many times to describe something that is done in haste or quickness.  This meaning could be how my meaning derived.  When someone yells �shotgun� they are calling the front seat and it is done in a fast means.  It is done quickly because no one wants to lose the opportunity of not getting the front seat.

         Today in American football they call a �shotgun formation,� which is a hasty formation. (OED)  My term could have also come about because of the football definition.  This definition is basically saying same thing, since it is described in football as a hasty formation, then maybe shotgun is referring to calling the front seat a �hasty formation� as well.  It is the hasty formation of who sits where during the car ride.  This all takes place quickly.  We don�t sit around for hours or so discussing the formation of the car or where everyone is going to sit.  No matter when you look at the meaning of this term it refers to something being hasty or done quickly.

         In the mid-1900�s, �shotgun� is used mostly to describe homes.  �Shotgun� houses, are usually little and run-down.  It was usually used to describe the home of someone of the lower class.  �Shot gun has always been used to describe a type of house.  It is even used in that sense today.  For example, in 1974 in Times magazine it stated �The American South is still unmistakably southern grits at breakfast, blacks living in shotgun shacks.� (OED)

         According to the Oxford English Dictionary, �shotgun� was first used in 1828 as a noun to mean, �a smooth-bore gun (fowling-piece) used for firing small-shots, as distinguished from a rifle for firing a bullet.�  Then in 1945, the meaning of �shotgun� evolved to mean a type of formation.  Such as in football they use �shotgun formations.�  Today it is used as a verb �to ride shotgun.�  Even in 1974 when �shotgun� referred to a certain type of shack, this shack was made in haste and frankly was not very nice.  This meaning again shows that �shotgun� is used to mean something hasty just as teenagers use it today.

         A word that used to be commonly used to mean the front seat is just saying �frontsies.�  This would mean that you get the front passenger seat.  �Frontsies� is still used today.  It all depends on the situation on when you would use which.  You would say �frontsies� in a calmer environment so more respectable people might not feel bombarded, since �shotgun� has much more excitement to it.  �Shotgun� would be used when everyone is really excited, for example, when they are on their way to a football game, party or on their way home from one when they are pumped up.  �Frontsies� can also mean to get in front of someone in line.  If you wanted to get in front of a friend who was waiting in a long line so you wouldn�t have to get at the end of the line, you might just say �frontsies?� in the form of a question.  In this case, you couldn�t use �shotgun� in place of �frontsies.�  If you would, it really wouldn�t make any sense because you�re not saying you want the front seat.  Your friend might look at you like you�re a little insane if you did something like this.  So these two words can only be used interchangeably in certain cases.

         One thing that has changed with the word �shotgun� is the part of speech.  When we use the word �shotgun� to refer to a gun, it is a noun because it is referring to an object.  Then in 1937 when the word �shotgun� was used to describe a house the part of speech is an adjective, because the word is being used to describe a noun.  My meaning of the word �shotgun� is used as a verb and it means �to ride.�  Therefore, �shotgun� can be used in several different ways, such as verb, adjective, and noun.
 Why should �shotgun� be adopted to mean, getting the front seat?  Maybe this word is just a fad, but then maybe not.  It might be fun for that to be our generation�s word.  But then again we have had many words like cool, rad, and the word that Bart Simpson started �not!�  These words are still around but not commonly used.  This word should stay because it is always fun to say and convenient.  Teenagers say it all the time and we have a good time with it.  Also, this word has evolved to mean what it does to not only me but to the teenage population.  It meant haste before and it still means something done in haste.  When you call �shotgun� you need to yell it quickly so that the rest of your party knows that you have the front sat.  �Shotgun� is much more fun to say than �I have the front seat,� or asking, �Can I be in front?�  More fun comes out of it when you yell �shotgun� than any other way.  �Shotgun,� in general, just makes it a little more fun when you�re out with your friends, that is why it should be used for years to come.

Stephanie Jackson