Origin of 'call the shots'?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi, what is the origin of this idiom:

call the shots

I understand it means to be in charge but where does it come from?
Thanks
Andreana

2

Hi Andreana,

You are quite right in saying that it means to be in charge/to be the boss.

I believe there are two sorts of origins. The first refers to someone practising with a rifle and indicating where their target is going to be by calling it out in advance. You might think of clay pigeon shooting where the person in charge of the machine is told to pull and thereby release the clay pigeon for the rifle user to fire their gun and try to hit it.

Another theory is that it comes from the game of billiards where the player announces in advance where they are going to hit the ball to.

Just some ideas.

Alan

3

Alan, do you also think it could also be from military practice in the 18th century and before? In those days, the forces used to line up across from each other and shoot when the officer yelled, “Fire!” Maybe this could be another origin.

4

Sorry, I know this is five years later…but the term “call the shots” dates from the early 1500s when curling was first played in Scotland. The “skip” (team leader) “calls” the shot for his player i.e. distance, speed and line.

Hope this helps.

A