Why is a 'shot' of whisky called a 'shot'?

[P-Kasso2]

Anything to do with guns?

[P-Kasso2]

Anything to do with guns?

I've got some good news for all you shot drinkers and whisky buffs out there. Shots have absolutely nothing to do with bullets. Far from it.

Back in the murk of history, ancient Vikings gave us the word. And by round about the 12th Century their word became our ancient English word 'scéotan' which (after several more centuries of mispronunciation) first became 'scot' and has now become today's word 'shot'.

Like the original Viking word, the old 'shot' word meant to pay or to contribute - as in buying a round of drinks.

(We still use the word 'scot' in its previous meaning but only in the phrase 'scot free' ie making no contribution.)

So, 'shot' has nothing to do with bullets - its more about centuries of good old English drunkards slurring an ex-Viking word for 'to pay' or to 'bung some more money in the drinks kitty, mate'.

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-sho3.htm