[New Slang Dictionary] Shotgun - Venting Anger by Throwing a Keyboard in a Rage

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The Joseon Dynasty historical record Yeollyeosilgiseol somewhat oppressively depicts King Injo’s demeanor when welcoming his son, Crown Prince Sohyeon, who was taken as a prisoner after the Byeongjahoran War. After the humiliation at Samjeondo, the affection Injo once showed?such as asking that his son, who was sensitive to cold, be kept in an ondol-heated room when sent to the Qing Dynasty?had completely vanished. When Crown Prince Sohyeon returned after eight years and paid a formal visit to his father, presenting a brushpot gifted by the Qing emperor, Injo suddenly became very angry and reportedly threw the brushpot at his son. Since this incident is not recorded in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, it is likely an apocryphal story, but it vividly illustrates the father-son conflict and is often cited when discussing Injo’s harshness. Injo’s anger may have stemmed from a fear that history might repeat itself, as it did during the Goryeo period. At the end of Goryeo, the Yuan Dynasty abruptly dethroned King Chungryeol and installed his son King Chungsun, only to restore King Chungryeol a year later. Both the Qing Dynasty and Injo were well aware of this historical threat?that a son could be made a political rival and used to depose a king. Injo, who threw the brushpot, became convinced that his son was aiming for his throne. Eventually, he publicly declared before his ministers, “Previously, (the Qing) treated the Crown Prince too harshly, but now they are treating him too generously; I cannot help but be suspicious.” Perhaps because of his father’s anger, Crown Prince Sohyeon suddenly died of malaria just three months after returning to Joseon.

“Shotgun” is a newly coined term referring to an excessive outburst of aggression and momentary rage that occurs when someone using a computer for gaming or other tasks becomes angry, leading them to hit or throw their keyboard or desk. Videos of game streamers smashing or hitting their keyboards during broadcasts are typical examples of “shotgun” clips, often eliciting laughter from viewers. At one point, during the rapid growth of the cryptocurrency market, investors who had heavily purchased Bitcoin and then faced a massive crash posted photos of themselves destroying keyboards, monitors, sinks, toilets, and household items in fits of rage, which became another form of “shotgun.” However, failing to control such momentary anger rationally can lead not only to financial losses but also to the development of intermittent explosive disorder, so caution is advised.

Example Usage

A: After class today, shall we go to the PC bang and play a round of PUBG?
B: Sure, but let’s go somewhere different than last time.
A: Why? The food there is good, and the computer specs are nice...
B: When I went alone last time, some middle school kids nearby came and it was a total shotgun fest. Two of them were hitting and smashing their keyboards, and even the part-timer was pale and couldn’t stop them.
A: Wow, really? Those kids are scary... Okay, let’s go somewhere else.