The Amusing Story of How the Shot Glass Got It’s Name

The shot glass, a small drinking vessel typically used for serving spirits, has a rich and varied history that reflects both cultural practices and the evolution of alcohol consumption. Its origins are traced back to ancient civilizations, where small cups and vessels were used to measure and serve small amounts of alcohol. But do you know how the modern shot glass got its name?

What’s the Size of a Shot Glass?

First, let’s look at the size of this diminutive drinking glass. In the 19th century, with the rise of distilled spirits such as whiskey and vodka, the shot glass became more standardized in size and shape. However, not all shot glasses are equal. According to Wine Enthusiast:

‘This small drinking vessel usually holds around 1.5 to 2 ounces of liquor, but the size of these shot glasses can vary from bar to bar and restaurant to restaurant—or even country to country.’

How the Shot Glass Got Its Name

There’s a number of interesting stories about how the shot glass got its name. Some of these stories sound probable, and some are just plain amusing.

The Shot Glass Got Its Name From a German Inventor?

Friedrich Otto Schott was co-owner of a German glass works factory and imported this small drinking glass to America. Hence the name shot glass instead of Schott glass?

Bullets for Booze in the American Old West

In the American Old West, a cowboy who couldn’t afford a whole glass of whiskey offered a bullet in exchange for a smaller glass. The bartender poured whiskey in a small copper glass, and the drink became known as ‘a shot of whiskey’.

A variation on this Old West story is that a cowboy’s bullet was worth 12 cents and a glass of whiskey was the same price. If the cowboy had little or no money on him, he’d offer a bullet as payment.

A Shot Glass As a Utensil At the Dinner Table

Another story is that diners used the shot glass as a receptacle for bullet shards at the dinner table. Apparently, there were remnants of bullets in the meat. Ugh.

The Shot Glass Its Name From a Hole in a Barrel?

A Bar Above recounts the story from the mid-1800s where a would-be entrepreneur wanted to open up a saloon. The story goes that an angry opponent to this idea shot a hole in the first barrel of whiskey. The saloon was never opened, but some time after, it became common practice to ask for ‘a shot of whiskey.’

Conclusion

There’s no definitive answer as to how our modern shot glass got its name. Most of the stories center around the mid-1800s. Maybe none of the stories are true, all of them are true, or only some of them are true. Nevertheless, these accounts fascinate and amuse us in the telling, providing a glimpse into our rich history.

More interesting tidbits on drinking glasses – What’s Behind The Unique Shape of the Brandy Glass