"Shotgun Rider"

A "shotgun rider" refers to someone who accompanies a vehicle, typically in a passenger seat beside the driver. Historically, the term originates from the American Old West, where a person riding "shotgun" would sit next to the stagecoach driver armed with a shotgun to protect against threats. Today, it’s commonly used to describe the front passenger seat in any vehicle. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who joins or supports a group effort or journey, often implying a position of alertness or readiness to assist.