Little Sure Shot: The Incredible Life of Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley’s sharpshooting became so legendary that it became impossible to separate her name from the sport. In many shows, free tickets were punched with holes to distinguish them from paid ones—resembling the playing cards Annie famously shot through.

Over time, people began calling these free passes “Annie Oakleys.” The term stuck and even found its way into baseball, where an “Annie Oakley” refers to a walk, a free pass to first base. Her legacy extends beyond the Wild West, embedding itself in language, sports, and history.