Claire Thompson
The phrase winner, winner, chicken dinner is commonly used to refer to a victory or success, especially in the context of gambling. Its exact origin is disputed, but it is believed to have emerged from the world of gambling, specifically in the casinos of Las Vegas, during the late 1920s to the 1930s. Back then, a standard bet was $2, and a chicken dinner in the casino cafeteria cost just under $2. So, if you won a bet, you could afford to buy yourself a chicken dinner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | The exact origin of the phrase is disputed but it is associated with gambling and Las Vegas casinos in the 1920s-1930s. |
| Meaning | The phrase is used to celebrate victories and big successes or call out someone for being lucky. |
| Popular Culture | The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its use in the 2008 film '21' and the 2017 video game 'PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' (PUBG). |
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What You'll Learn
- The saying's origins are disputed
- It may have originated in Las Vegas casinos where a chicken dinner cost $2, the same price as a standard bet
- It may have been coined by back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression who bet their money in hopes of winning a chicken dinner
- It gained popularity from the 2008 film '21'
- It's used to celebrate victories and successes in the world of gambling and beyond
The saying's origins are disputed
The saying "winner, winner, chicken dinner" is a phrase with disputed origins. It is commonly associated with gambling and is used to celebrate victories and successes. The phrase is believed to have originated in the 1920s or 1930s during the Great Depression in the United States, a time when food was scarce and gambling was prevalent.
One theory suggests that the phrase originated in the casinos of Las Vegas or Historic Vegas. During this time, a standard bet in casinos was $2, and a chicken dinner, which typically included a potato and a vegetable, cost just under $2 or specifically $1.79. So, if a gambler won a bet, they could afford to buy themselves a chicken dinner. This theory is supported by the fact that the phrase is commonly associated with gambling and is often used in movies, TV shows, and video games set in casinos or involving gambling.
Another theory, proposed by David Guzman, author of "A Guide to Craps Lingo from Snake Eyes to Muleteeth", suggests that the phrase was coined by back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression. These gamblers would bet whatever little money they had, hoping to win a chicken dinner for themselves and their families. This theory highlights the desperation of the times and the value of a hot meal.
The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its use in the 2008 casino heist film "21", and later in the 2017 multiplayer video game "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" (PUBG). It has since become a common expression to celebrate victories, both within the PUBG community and beyond.
While the exact origin of the phrase remains uncertain, its association with gambling and celebrations of success has endured, with people using it in various contexts to express their joy and excitement over a "win".
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It may have originated in Las Vegas casinos where a chicken dinner cost $2, the same price as a standard bet
The exact origin of the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is disputed. However, it may have originated in Las Vegas casinos, where a full chicken dinner cost $1.79, just under $2, the same price as a standard bet. So, if a gambler won a $2 bet, they could afford to buy themselves a chicken dinner.
The phrase is an expression that celebrates a victory or success. It is commonly used in the world of gambling, for instance, when someone wins a round of blackjack, the dealer might call out, "Winner winner, chicken dinner!".
The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its frequent use in the 2008 casino heist film '21', and it became even more popular online after the release of the 2017 multiplayer shooter video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG).
"Winner winner chicken dinner" is also still used outside the PUBG community as a synonym for victory, from smaller, unexpected wins to bigger successes.
The phrase has also been claimed to have originated with back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression, when desperate gamblers bet whatever little money they had, hoping to win a chicken dinner.
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It may have been coined by back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression who bet their money in hopes of winning a chicken dinner
The exact origin of the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is disputed, but it is most commonly associated with gambling. One theory suggests that the phrase may have been coined by back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression. During this time, many people gambled in hopes of winning enough money to afford a decent meal, such as a chicken dinner.
Back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression are believed to have bet whatever money they had, hoping to win a chicken dinner that would feed their families. This theory is supported by David Guzman, the author of "A Guide to Craps Lingo from Snake Eyes to Muleteeth." Guzman's book explores the origins of various gambling-related phrases and slang terms.
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" reflects the idea that winning a bet could provide a much-needed meal for struggling individuals during the challenging economic period of the Great Depression. It highlights the significance of a successful gamble, which could result in a celebratory chicken dinner.
While the exact timeframe of this theory is unclear, the Great Depression in the United States occurred during the 1930s, following the stock market crash of 1929. It was a period of widespread economic hardship, with many people facing unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity.
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" has endured and evolved beyond its potential origins in the Great Depression. Today, it is used more broadly to celebrate victories and successes, regardless of whether they are gambling-related. The phrase has been popularized in modern culture through its appearances in movies, television shows, and video games, such as the 2008 film "21" and the video game "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds."
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It gained popularity from the 2008 film '21'
The saying "winner winner chicken dinner" is a phrase that traditionally celebrates a victory or success. It is especially common in the world of gambling. Its exact origins are disputed, but it is believed to have come from gamblers in Las Vegas casinos during the Great Depression in the late 1920s. A chicken dinner at the time cost just under $2, the same amount as the standard bet. So, if a gambler won a bet, they could afford a chicken dinner.
The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its frequent use in the 2008 film '21', starring Jim Sturgess. In one scene, Sturgess's character Ben Campbell says, "Winner, winner, chicken dinner! There it is. Thank you. God, I love this town. I love this game. And, Jim, I might even love you."
The phrase became even more popular after being featured in the 2017 multiplayer shooter video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). It is now commonly used outside the PUBG community as a synonym for victory, from smaller, unexpected wins to bigger successes.
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It's used to celebrate victories and successes in the world of gambling and beyond
The exact origin of the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is disputed, but it is mostly associated with the world of gambling and is used to celebrate victories and successes. It is believed to have originated in the casinos of Las Vegas or with back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression.
During the late 1920s and the Great Depression in the United States, a chicken dinner in a casino cafeteria or elsewhere cost around $2, which was also the standard amount for many bets placed by gamblers. So, winning a bet meant winning a chicken dinner, hence the phrase.
The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its use in the 2008 casino heist film "21," and later in the 2017 multiplayer shooter video game "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" (PUBG). The phrase has also been trademarked by the fast-food chain Raising Cane's.
Today, the expression is commonly used to celebrate a victory or success, whether in gambling or other contexts. It is often used to congratulate someone for winning a game or achieving a personal success.
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Frequently asked questions
The exact origin of the phrase is disputed, but it is most commonly associated with gambling, specifically in Las Vegas casinos.
In the late 1920s (the Depression Era in the United States), a chicken dinner in a casino cafeteria cost just under $2, the same amount as a standard bet. So, if you won a bet, you could afford a chicken dinner.
Yes, David Guzman, author of A Guide to Craps Lingo from Snake Eyes to Muleteeth, claims that the phrase was coined by back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression. These desperate gamblers would bet whatever they had in hopes of winning a chicken dinner.
The phrase became popular after its frequent use in the 2008 casino heist film 21. It gained further traction outside the gaming community after being featured in the 2017 multiplayer shooter video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG).
"Winner winner chicken dinner" is commonly used as a synonym for victory, from smaller, unexpected wins to bigger successes.
