Lucas Delgado
What's up, chicken butt? is a playful response to the question What's up? or Guess what? The phrase is meant to be a non-sequitur, throwing people off and eliciting laughter. It is believed to have originated from street merchants in the 1960s in the southern USA, who would yell out prices for chicken cuts, including the butt or shoulder of the chicken. This phrase gained popularity and inspired a series of memes and jokes, particularly in the early 2000s with the rise of online platforms like YouTube and Urban Dictionary. While it may be considered childish by some, it has certainly left its mark on popular culture, with appearances in books and even on clothing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Usage | Colloquial, casual settings among friends or family |
| Origin | Unknown, but believed to be from street merchants in the 1960s in the USA |
| First recorded instance | Charles G. Bell's 1962 novel "The Married Land" |
| Purpose | A non-sequitur meant to throw people off, make them laugh, or waste their time harmlessly |
| Variations | "Guess What? Chicken Butt!", "What's Up? Chicken Butt!", "Guess What? Snot!" |
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What You'll Learn
'Chicken butt' is a playful response to 'what's up'
"Chicken butt" is a playful response to the question "What's up?" or "Guess what?". It is a colloquial expression that has been around since at least the 1960s and is often used in a casual setting among friends or family. The phrase is thought to have originated from street merchants in the 1960s in the southern USA, who would yell out prices for different cuts of chicken, including "chicken butts". Another theory suggests that it dates back to the 14th century when undesirable cuts of meat were called "butts" because they were thrown into barrels, or "butts", and "chicken butt" referred to these cheaper cuts of meat.
The expression typically comes in two parts: one person asks "Guess what?" or "What's up?", and the other responds with "Chicken butt". It is often used to playfully tease someone, especially among siblings, and is particularly popular among children who find the idea of a chicken's butt hilarious. The phrase has inspired various memes and jokes, with some people even creating songs and videos based on the joke.
While it is a lighthearted and harmless expression, it is important to note that using it in a professional setting may be perceived as unprofessional or childish. However, in the appropriate context, "chicken butt" can be a fun and playful way to engage in conversation and bring some laughter into the room.
So, the next time someone asks you "What's up?" or "Guess what?", feel free to respond with a cheerful "Chicken butt!" and join in on the decades-old playful expression.
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The phrase 'guess what? Chicken butt!' is a harmless prank
The phrase "Guess what? Chicken butt!" is a prank that has been around for a while, with some claiming it dates back to the 14th century. It is a harmless prank, meant to be a non-sequitur that throws people off and makes them laugh. It is often used by children or in a lighthearted, casual setting among friends or family. The phrase typically comes in two parts: one person will say "guess what" or "what's up," and the other will respond with "chicken butt," catching the other person off guard. This type of humour is similar to other playful phrases like "see ya later, alligator."
The phrase likely originated from street merchants in the 1960s, particularly in the southern USA, who would yell out prices for different cuts of chicken, including the "butt," which is actually the shoulder. This is supported by the first recorded instance of the phrase "chicken butt" in Charles G. Bell's 1962 novel, "The Married Land." The phrase gained further popularity in the early 2000s with the rise of the internet, inspiring various memes, videos, songs, and even a play based on the joke.
While some may find the phrase amusing, it is important to note that it is entirely colloquial and may be perceived as unprofessional or childish in certain settings. It is meant to be a lighthearted joke and should be used in appropriate contexts, such as among friends or family, rather than in formal or professional environments.
The phrase has also evolved to include variations like "What's up, chicken butt?" or simply "Chicken butt!" as a response to "What's up?" or "Guess what?" These variations maintain the playful and harmless nature of the original prank, often used to tease someone playfully or waste time in a harmless manner.
Overall, "Guess what? Chicken butt!" is a lighthearted prank that has brought laughter to people of all ages, especially children, and continues to be a part of popular culture, spreading humour and joy in casual conversations.
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The expression is believed to have originated from street merchants selling chicken cuts
The expression "What's up, chicken butt?" is a playful response that gained popularity through memes and jokes. It is often used to waste someone's time harmlessly or to playfully tease them. The expression typically comes in two parts: one person asks, "'Guess what?" or "What's up?" and the other responds with "Chicken butt!"
The exact origins of this expression are unknown, but it is widely believed to have originated from street merchants selling chicken cuts. In the 14th century, undesirable cuts of meat were packed into barrels called "butts," derived from the Modern French word "botte" and Latin "buttis," both meaning barrel or cask. Over time, the term "'butt" was used to refer to the scrap parts of the meat inside the barrels. Street merchants would advertise these cuts by calling out, "Chicken butt! Five cents a cut!"
The phrase "chicken butt" in this context refers to the shoulder of the chicken, which was considered a particularly delicious and affordable cut. While it is challenging to verify the historical price of a chicken shoulder, data on the cost of a whole chicken is readily available. For example, during the Roaring Twenties, hens were sold for between $0.36 and $0.38 per pound, which would be approximately $4.43 today.
The expression "What's up, chicken butt?" may also have gained popularity due to its use in George Gershwin's 1935 opera "Porgy and Bess." In the opera, a character discusses something related to chicken butts, and the phrase may have been launched into popular culture through this highbrow reference.
It is important to note that the phrase "What's up, chicken butt?" is entirely colloquial and should be reserved for casual settings among friends or family. While it is unlikely to result in reprimand or termination in a professional setting, using this phrase in a formal context may be perceived as unprofessional or childish.
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It is widely used in memes and jokes
"What's up, chicken butt?" is a phrase that has been widely used in memes and jokes, especially online. The phrase is a playful response to the question "what's up" or "guess what", with "chicken butt" serving as a lighthearted and unexpected answer. This expression is often used to catch someone off guard and elicit laughter.
The exact origins of the phrase are unknown, but it is believed to have originated from street merchants calling out the prices of chicken cuts, specifically the cheaper and less desirable cuts known as "butts". The word "butt" in this context refers to the scrap parts of meat that were placed in barrels, or "butts", during the 14th century. This usage of the word "butt" eventually shifted to refer to the contents of the barrel rather than the container itself.
The phrase gained popularity in the 2000s with the rise of online platforms such as Urban Dictionary, YouTube, and TikTok. Users on these platforms created and shared memes, videos, songs, and image macros featuring the "What's up, chicken butt?" joke. For example, on Urban Dictionary in 2003, user Handsome Pete defined "chicken butt" as "a rhyme-arific and obnoxious way to respond to the obnoxious & ubiquitous question, 'Guess what'?". On YouTube, videos featuring the joke received tens of thousands of views.
The phrase experienced a resurgence in meme culture in 2019 and 2021, with users creating new variations of the joke and sharing them on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The meme is often used as an intentionally cringey joke or as a form of lighthearted banter, and it is particularly popular among younger audiences.
While the phrase is meant to be a playful and harmless prank, it is important to note that it is colloquial and should be used sparingly in casual settings among friends or family.
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The phrase can be traced back to the 14th century
The phrase "What's up, chicken butt?" is a playful expression that can be traced back to the 14th century. While it may seem like a modern joke or meme, its origins are rooted in the Middle Ages. During this period, the word "butt" referred to barrels where undesirable cuts of meat were stored. Over time, the term "butt" shifted from describing the container to the contents themselves, and "chicken butt" specifically referred to these less desirable and cheaper cuts of meat. This usage of "butt" persisted into the early 20th century, with street merchants calling out prices for various chicken cuts, including the "butt."
The phrase "What's up, chicken butt?" as a playful response gained popularity in the 20th century, with the earliest recorded instance appearing in Charles G. Bell's 1962 novel, "The Married Land." In the novel, the phrase is used in dialogue: "What, what, chicken butt, come around the house and lick it up." This usage suggests that the expression was already in colloquial use by the time of its publication.
The phrase's resurgence can also be attributed to its appearance in popular culture. George Gershwin's 1935 opera, "Porgy and Bess," featured a character who compared someone to a chicken, invoking the merchants' chant. This highbrow reference to "chicken butt" may have contributed to its popularity in mainstream culture.
By the 1970s and 1980s, the phrase had become a well-known joke, particularly among children and young people, who found it hilarious to use "chicken butt" as a nonsensical response to "What's up?" or "Guess what?" The expression was further disseminated through internet memes, viral videos, songs, and image macros, ensuring its place in modern popular culture.
While the exact origins of the phrase as a joke are unknown, the playful response "What's up, chicken butt?" has brought laughter and surprise to many, continuing a long tradition of lighthearted banter that began centuries ago.
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Frequently asked questions
"What's up, chicken?" is a playful phrase used to respond to the question "What's up?" or "Guess what?". It's meant to be a harmless prank or joke, often used by children or in casual settings among friends and family.
"Chicken butt" is funny because it rhymes. The phrase can be traced back to the 14th century when undesirable cuts of meat were referred to as "butts." So, "chicken butt" doesn't refer to a chicken's posterior but rather the cheaper, less desirable cuts of meat.
"What's up, chicken butt" is a colloquial phrase and should be reserved for casual settings with friends or family. Using it in a professional setting may be considered unprofessional or childish.
