
Winner winner chicken dinner is a celebratory expression used to announce when someone has won a game, competition, or achieved a victory. The exact origin of the phrase is disputed, but it is believed to have come from gamblers in the late 1920s to 1930s. One theory suggests that a chicken dinner at a Las Vegas casino cost $2, the same amount as a standard bet, so winning a bet meant winning a chicken dinner. The phrase gained mainstream popularity after being featured in the 2008 film 21 and the 2017 video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). It has since been used in various media and memes to express triumph or success.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning | A celebratory expression used to announce a victory |
| Origin | The exact origin is disputed but it may have come from gamblers in the 1920s or 1930s |
| Cost of a chicken dinner | $1.79 or $2 |
| Standard bet amount | $2 |
| Popularized by | The 2008 movie '21' and the 2017 video game 'PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' |
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What You'll Learn
- The celebratory expression is used to announce a win or achievement
- It may have originated from gamblers in the 1920s/30s who bet for a chicken dinner
- The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its use in the 2008 film '21'
- It's used in the video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG)
- The phrase was trademarked by Raising Cane's L.L.C. in 2013

The celebratory expression is used to announce a win or achievement
The phrase "winner, winner, chicken dinner" is a celebratory expression used to announce a win or achievement. It is often used in games, sports, and competitions to celebrate victory. The phrase has become popular in gaming communities, especially in multiplayer shooter video games like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). If a player emerges as the sole survivor in the challenging PUBG game, they are greeted with this phrase.
The exact origin of the phrase is disputed, but it is believed to have emerged from the gambling world, particularly in Las Vegas casinos during the 1920s and 1930s. Back then, a chicken dinner in a casino cafeteria cost around $1.79 to just under $2, which was also the standard bet for many gamblers. So, winning a bet meant having enough money to buy a chicken dinner, hence the phrase "winner, winner, chicken dinner."
The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its use in the 2008 movie "21," based on a group of MIT students who learned card counting and defrauded casinos. The expression has since spread beyond the gambling world and is now commonly used in popular culture, including TV shows, movies, and video games.
The phrase has become a fun and playful way to express victory or achievement. It adds a lighthearted tone to celebrations and is often used in informal settings. The phrase has endured and spread due to its catchy and memorable nature, finding its way into various aspects of popular culture.
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It may have originated from gamblers in the 1920s/30s who bet for a chicken dinner
The exact origin of the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is disputed, but it may have come from gamblers in the 1920s/30s who bet for a chicken dinner. One theory suggests that the phrase originated in Las Vegas casinos during the late 1920s, also known as the Depression Era in the United States. During this time, a chicken dinner from a casino cafeteria cost just under $2, which was the standard amount for many bets placed by gamblers. Therefore, winning a bet meant effectively winning a chicken dinner, giving rise to the phrase.
Another theory supports the gambling origin but attributes it specifically to back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Author David Guzman, in his book on craps lingo, claims that these desperate gamblers would bet whatever they had, hoping to win enough money to afford a chicken dinner. The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its use in the 2008 film "21," and later in the 2017 multiplayer video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG).
The phrase has now become an old, celebratory expression used to announce a victory in games, competitions, or other achievements. It has been trademarked by the Louisiana fried chicken restaurant chain Raising Cane's L.L.C. and is often heard in movies, TV shows, and video games.
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The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its use in the 2008 film '21'
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" has been featured in various movies, TV shows, and video games. Its appearance in the 2008 film "21" is particularly notable for its contribution to the phrase's mainstream popularity.
"21" is a film based on a true story about a group of MIT students who learn to count cards and win big at blackjack in Las Vegas. The film, directed by Robert Luketic, stars Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Aaron Yoo, Liza Lapira, and Jacob Pitts as the lead characters. The excitement of gambling and winning is a central theme in the movie, and the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is used during significant moments of victory. The phrase effectively captures the elation and adrenaline rush associated with gambling, making the audience feel the thrill of winning alongside the characters.
The use of the phrase in "21" helped solidify its place in popular culture. It showcased how a simple line can convey triumph in a comedic yet chaotic setting. The inclusion of "winner winner chicken dinner" in the film's dialogue also served as a hilarious confirmation of success amidst the chaos and absurdity of the story's events. This catchy line resonated with audiences and soon spread beyond the cinematic realm, finding its way into everyday conversations.
The popularity of the phrase in "21" also led to its increased usage in other forms of media, including TV shows and video games. For example, "winner winner chicken dinner" has been featured in various episodes of "The Simpsons," often with a humorous or satirical twist. Additionally, the phrase became popular in the gaming community after its inclusion in the 2017 multiplayer shooter video game "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" (PUBG).
Overall, the use of "winner winner chicken dinner" in the 2008 film "21" played a significant role in introducing the phrase to a wider audience and contributing to its lasting impact on popular culture. The phrase's ability to convey triumph, joy, and celebration continues to unite people in shared moments of success and excitement.
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It's used in the video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG)
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is used in the video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) when a player or team wins a match. The game developer, Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene, included the phrase in most of the battle royale modes he has created.
The exact origin of the phrase is disputed, but it may have originated from gamblers in the 1920s or 1930s. The most popular origin story of the term is that a chicken dinner at a Las Vegas casino cost $2, the same amount as a standard bet. So, if a gambler won a bet, they could afford to buy a chicken dinner. According to David Guzman, author of a book on craps lingo, the phrase may have originated from back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression of the 1930s, who would bet whatever they had in hopes of winning enough money for a chicken dinner.
The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its use in the 2008 film '21' and the 2017 release of PUBG. It is now commonly used to celebrate any victory or achievement, whether in games, sports, or other competitions.
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The phrase was trademarked by Raising Cane's L.L.C. in 2013
The exact origin of the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is disputed, but it is believed to have come from gamblers. The most popular origin story goes that a chicken dinner at a Las Vegas casino cost $2, the same amount as a standard bet. So, if a gambler won a bet, they could afford a chicken dinner. The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its use in the 2008 film '21' and the 2017 video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG).
The phrase was trademarked by Raising Canes L.L.C. in 2013. Raising Canes U.S.A., L.L.C. is a restaurant company that offers entertainment services, including contest and incentive award programs designed to reward participants who engage in customer appreciation programs. The company also provides restaurant services, clothing, and customer loyalty programs.
The trademarking of the phrase by Raising Canes L.L.C. may have been a strategic move to associate the company with the popular and catchy phrase. By trademarking it, Raising Canes L.L.C. could have sought to use the phrase in their marketing and promotional activities, creating a unique and memorable brand association.
The exact reasons behind the company's decision to trademark the phrase are not publicly known, but it is possible that they wanted to protect their intellectual property rights and ensure exclusive use of the phrase in their industry. Trademarking popular phrases or expressions can be a way for companies to differentiate themselves and create a strong brand identity.
It is worth noting that the trademark may be specific to certain industries or contexts, as trademark laws consider the likelihood of confusion among consumers within a particular market. The trademark may also have specific limitations or conditions associated with its use, as trademark registrations can sometimes include restrictions to ensure they do not interfere with the rights of other trademark owners.
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Frequently asked questions
It is a celebratory expression used to announce when someone has won a game, competition, or achieved a victory.
The exact origin of the phrase is disputed. It may have come from gamblers in the 1920s or 1930s when a chicken dinner from a casino cafeteria cost just under $2, the same amount as a standard bet. So, if you won a bet, you could buy a chicken dinner.
The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its use in the 2008 film "21". It became even more popular online after the release of the 2017 multiplayer shooter video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG).
The phrase has been used in movies, TV shows, and video games. It is also used in memes to savor victory.









































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