Posted by guest on February 20, 2006 at 19:07:49:
In Reply to: Re: origin of the term "shot" glass posted by Mark (leave feedback to contact me) on February 16, 2006 at 20:23:57:
Right. Most often bird hunting is a "gentleman" sport. Think of royalty or well to do gents out in there wool jackets etc. When they came back from the hunt they would have a large feast, most likely on the finest china or service available. The first shot glasses, or cups if you want, may have been made of metal and functioned the same, to collect the pellets. As far as the glass breaking, I think it would be hard pressed to have Nolan Ryan in his hay day break any glass with a bird shot (soft lead pellet). But you are right maybe it was a shot cup. Thanks.
: What other stories have you guys heard?
: The most common one that I hear is that the cowboys of the old west would trade a bullet (actually a cartridge made up of a bullet, gunpowder, primer and brass casing) for a drink. Since a cartridge was a "shot" the drink became known as a shot.
: The main problem with this story is that the economics are wrong (whiskey is more valuable than a single cartridge). Also, the word "shotglass" or phrase "shot glass" does not appear in print until about 1950. If the cowboy origin was correct, the word should have showed up much earlier.
: The same is true for the "place to collect shot pellets" origin -- since shotguns have been around for hundreds of years, the word should have showed up in print much earlier. The further back in time you go, the more rare and valuable glass is. It would not be used for something like collecting shot, especially since throwing the shot at the glass has the very likely outcome of breaking or damaging the glass.
: Mark
: : I noticed some type of explanation on the front page for the orgin of the term "shot" glass. Has anyone heard that a small glass was placed next to a plate after a hunting party. While eating the wild fowl / game that had just been peppered with birdshot the lead peelets would be disposed in the small glass next to the plate. Thus the term "shot" glass, a receptacle for lead pellets (shot) discharged from a shotgun.