A lot of people have heard of the old adage “a shot of whiskey” or insert your favorite liquor into that phrase. It is a part of our vernacular and something so incredibly common, but none of us stop to think where that phrase originated from. There are a couple of theories people tend to believe, but only one of them is true. Let’s crawl down the rabbit hole and take a shot at unraveling this mystery.
The most common and popularized story as to how the phrase “a shot of whiskey” came about stems from the Old West. Back in the 1800s, whether you were a cowboy, a cowhand, an outlaw, or the local town’s sheriff, if you were short on cash to quench your thirst at a nearby saloon, you had more options than cash for payment. It is said that people would pluck an individual round of .45 Long Colt out of the cylinder of the big iron (revolver) on their hip and pay for a small swig of liquor. An individual “shot” from their wheelgun could be accepted as payment for whiskey, rum, or whatever they might have had a hankerin’ for. As cool and romanticized as this story is, it is unfortunately not true – regarding it being the origin of the phrase “a shot of whiskey.”
Many historians attest that this story is true in that these things did happen which I do not doubt. If you are out on the dusty prairie with a saddle of ammo and no money, I would make that trade myself. The real origin of the phrase we are discussing though goes back even further to the 1400 – 1500s. The word, shot, in old English dictionaries used to refer to a debt that needed to be paid or a bill. So, if someone used the turn of phrase “a shot of whiskey,” they were potentially referring to their bar tab; a bill needs to be paid.
While the phrase we are all too familiar with now carries a different meaning, it is interesting to learn where it came from. Some say the Old West while others believe it dates back even further. Regardless, it is a fun story. Until next time, continually check out our blog, join our newsletter, and watch the website for new and exciting updates! As always, let us know all your thoughts in the comments below. We love it when you participate in our articles and keep the conversation going!
