Exploring the Origins of the Phrase "Shot in the Arm"

Chapter 1: The Phrase's Unexpected Beginnings

In recent times, the COVID vaccine has been referred to as the much-needed "shot in the arm." With the arrival of the vaccine in the U.S., I found myself curious about the phrase's origins. When did it first emerge, and how did it become so widely recognized? (If you think this is an unusual contemplation, remember, I have a keen interest in language.)

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, "shot in the arm" refers to “something that has a sudden, strong, positive effect on something else, providing encouragement and new activity.” Initially, I assumed this phrase came into existence in the 1950s alongside the advent of the polio vaccine. However, it turns out we would both be mistaken.

A Historical Perspective: Long Before Polio

The expression “shot in the arm” actually predates the polio vaccine by over a century and is not directly linked to vaccination at all. Its origins can be traced back to intravenous drug use.

In 1844, Francis Rynd performed the first successful injection using a hypodermic needle. Shortly thereafter, Alexander Wood developed an all-glass syringe, allowing users to measure the medication by observing the liquid level against graduated markings. Concurrently, French surgeon Charles Pravaz enhanced the syringe's design, crafting one entirely from silver.

By the late 1800s, the hypodermic syringe facilitated the injection of various substances, both medicinal and illicit. In 1804, morphine was transformed into a water-soluble salt suitable for injection. This marked the beginning of a series of injectable drugs, including quinine in 1820, nicotine in 1828, codeine in 1832, and cocaine in 1855, among others.

The Rise of Self-Administration

By the turn of the 20th century, it became commonplace for individuals to self-administer injections of drugs or vitamins, seeking that invigorating lift. A 1904 article in the San Francisco Chronicle Supplement noted: "I varied hardly a minute each day in the time of taking my injection. My first shot was when I awoke in the morning..."

First Recorded Usage in Media

The phrase first appeared in popular media in the Lewistown Evening Journal in January 1916, suggesting that it was already widely understood: "The vets can give politics a shot in the arm, and the political leaders realize it."

Today, "a shot in the arm" is a phrase used broadly, often carrying a positive connotation, despite its historical ties to non-medicinal drug use. For many, including myself, the term symbolizes the hope and revitalization that the COVID vaccine represents in a world yearning for recovery.