Emily Carter
Winner winner chicken dinner is a phrase used to celebrate a victory, especially in gambling. The exact origin of the phrase is disputed, but it may have come from gamblers. The most popular origin story of the term is that a chicken dinner at a Las Vegas casino used to cost $2, the same amount as a standard bet. So, if you won a bet, you won a chicken dinner. The phrase gained mainstream popularity thanks to its frequent use in the 2008 film '21' and the 2017 multiplayer video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning | A phrase exclaimed to celebrate a victory, especially in gambling |
| Mainstream popularity | Gained popularity due to its use in the 2008 film '21' and the 2017 video game 'PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' |
| Origin | Disputed, but may be linked to gamblers in Las Vegas casinos where a chicken dinner cost $1.79-$2, the same amount as a standard bet |
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What You'll Learn
The phrase's meaning
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is used to celebrate a victory, especially in gambling. The exact origin of the phrase is disputed, but it is believed to have come from gamblers.
The most popular origin story of the term is that a chicken dinner at a Las Vegas casino used to cost $2, the same amount as a standard bet. So, if you won a bet, you could buy yourself a chicken dinner. During that time, this chicken dinner was the most common and cheapest meal around.
However, David Guzman, author of a book on craps lingo, has said that the term comes from back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression of the 1930s. These desperate gamblers would bet whatever they had in hopes of winning a chicken dinner.
The phrase gained mainstream popularity thanks to its frequent use in the 2008 casino heist film '21', starring Kevin Spacey. It also became popular in the gaming community after the release of the 2017 multiplayer shooter video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). In PUBG, if a player manages to be the sole survivor, they are greeted with the phrase upon victory.
Today, the phrase is commonly used outside the PUBG community as a synonym for victory, from smaller, unexpected wins to bigger successes.
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Its origin
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is believed to have originated in the 19th century, when gambling was a popular pastime in the United States. One theory suggests that the phrase was first used in casinos, where a "chicken dinner" was a common
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Use in gambling
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is commonly used to signify a victory or success, especially in gambling and gaming contexts. It is a colloquial expression used to celebrate a win, suggesting that the individual has earned a reward, akin to winning a nice meal after a successful bet. The phrase has its roots in the gambling culture of Las Vegas during the mid-20th century, particularly in the Depression Era of the late 1920s and early 1930s.
During this period, a standard bet in Las Vegas casinos was $2, and a chicken dinner, consisting of three pieces of chicken, a potato, and vegetables, cost approximately $1.79 to $1.99. As a result, winning a bet meant having enough money to treat yourself to a chicken dinner. Casino dealers would often use this phrase to announce a player's win, especially in games like craps, poker, or blackjack. The whimsical nature of the phrase, combined with the excitement of winning, contributed to its popularity in gambling circles and eventually led to its adoption in popular culture.
The phrase gained further exposure through its use in movies like "21," directed by Robert Luketic, which depicted a group of MIT students counting cards to win big at blackjack in Las Vegas. The character Alan, played by Zack Galifianakis, exclaims "winner winner chicken dinner" after winning a substantial amount at the craps table, solidifying the phrase's place in pop culture.
In recent years, the phrase has also become popular in the gaming community, particularly with the release of the multiplayer shooter video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). The game developer, Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene, included the phrase in most of the battle royale modes he created. When a player emerges as the sole survivor in PUBG, they are greeted with this celebratory phrase.
While the exact origin of the phrase remains disputed, it is clear that it has strong associations with gambling, particularly in Las Vegas during the early 20th century. The phrase continues to be used in gambling contexts, as well as in popular culture and gaming communities, to celebrate victories and significant achievements.
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Use in video games
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" gained mainstream popularity in the video game world due to its use in the 2017 multiplayer shooter video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). The game's developer, Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene, is fond of the phrase and has included it in most of the battle royale modes he has created. When a player becomes the sole survivor in the notoriously challenging game of PUBG, they are congratulated with this phrase. The phrase has since spread beyond the PUBG community and is now commonly used in video games and elsewhere as a synonym for victory, regardless of the magnitude of the triumph.
The precise origin of the phrase is disputed, but it is believed to have originated with gamblers. According to the most popular origin story, the phrase originated from a casino meal deal in Las Vegas, where a three-piece chicken dinner with a potato and a vegetable cost $1.79, and a standard bet was $2. Therefore, winning a bet meant earning enough money to buy a chicken dinner. Another theory suggests that the phrase originated from back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression of the 1930s, who would bet whatever they had in hopes of winning a chicken dinner.
The phrase has also been used outside of the video game and gambling contexts. For example, it has been reported to be used in "trap league" "Meat Shoots" in Waseca, Minnesota, in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In these competitions, individuals or teams would shoot at clay pigeons, and the winner would receive frozen chickens as a prize. The announcer or competitor would yell out "winner winner chicken dinner" to celebrate the victory.
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" has become a fun and playful way to express victory or excitement about winning something, regardless of the context or the magnitude of the win. It adds a lighthearted and humorous tone to celebrations and has become a popular part of gaming culture and beyond.
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Use in popular culture
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" gained mainstream popularity thanks to its appearance in the 2008 film '21', which is based on the true story of a group of MIT students who learned to count cards and defrauded casinos. The film popularised the phrase, which was already being used in casinos, and helped spread its use into popular culture.
The phrase is now commonly used in media, including TV shows, movies, and video games. It is also used outside of these contexts as a synonym for victory, from smaller, unexpected wins to bigger successes. For example, if someone’s favourite team won the Super Bowl, they might post about it online saying, “Winner winner chicken dinner!”.
The multiplayer shooter video game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) has also been credited with re-popularising the phrase in 2017. After a win in PUBG, the text “winner winner chicken dinner” is displayed to the winning player and their team. Game developer Brendan “PlayerUnknown” Greene is a fan of the phrase and included it in most of the battle royale modes he has created.
In 2013, the Louisiana fried chicken restaurant chain Raising Cane’s trademarked the phrase and has since used it in many ads and promotions. Despite the trademark, Raising Cane’s has never made a claim against any other entity using the phrase.
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Frequently asked questions
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is used to celebrate a victory, especially in gambling.
The exact origin of the phrase is disputed. The most popular origin story is that a chicken dinner at a Las Vegas casino used to cost $2, the same amount as a standard bet. So, if you won a bet, you could buy a chicken dinner.
Yes, according to David Guzman, author of a book on craps lingo, the term comes from back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression of the 1930s. These desperate gamblers would bet whatever they had, hoping to win a chicken dinner.
The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its frequent use in the 2008 casino heist film "21", starring Kevin Spacey. It became even more popular outside the gambling world after the release of the 2017 multiplayer shooter video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG).
In PUBG, if a player is the sole survivor of the notoriously difficult game, they are greeted with the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" upon victory.
