The saying “Winner winner Chicken dinner” has curiously found its way into popular vernacular. Used to convey a celebratory sentiment upon achieving a victory or winning, it’s an expression that stands out due to its whimsical nature. But where did this quirky phrase come from?
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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner: Origins Unclear
1. The Gambling Halls of Old Las Vegas:
One of the most widely accepted origins of the phrase traces back to the Las Vegas gambling scene of the past. Legend has it that, in the early days of Vegas, casinos had a particular bet that cost $2. At the same time, a chicken dinner at a local casino cafe also cost $2. Therefore, if someone won the bet, they could afford a chicken dinner, hence “Winner winner chicken dinner.“
2. Pop Culture Propagation:
The phrase gained renewed popularity and exposure from the world of entertainment. Used in the movie film “21”, which revolved around a group of MIT students who became card counting experts to win big in Las Vegas casinos.
The movie opens with dialog from one of the students who explains that:
“It was a Chinese dealer at Binion’s who was first credited with the line. He would shout it every time he dealt blackjack. That was over 40 years ago and the words still catch. WINNER WINNER Chicken Dinner…”
IMDB for the 2008 Movie “21”, with Kevin Spacey
Additionally, the hugely popular video game “PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds” (PUBG) adopted the phrase “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” as the message displayed when a player or team achieves a victory. This exposure to millions of gamers worldwide further solidified the phrase’s place in modern pop culture.
It doesn’t stop there with popular references. Social media has had a part to play in the propagation of this and other phrases like it. The popularization of memes across websites like Reddit, Twitter (sorry, I just can’t get used to calling it X now), FaceBook and others, as users employ images to communicate punchlines just like “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner“:
3. Historical References:
Though the Las Vegas connection is popular, some believe the phrase’s origins might be older. Phrases that rhyme, like “See you later, alligator” or “Over and out, rainbow trout”, have been part of the English vernacular for quite some time. The rhyming nature of “Winner winner chicken dinner” suggests it could be a part of these linguistic trends, though its exact historical precedent remains elusive.
Web Folklore
It comes from cock (rooster) fights … They fought to the death. The cock that won and the respective owner were WINNER & WINNER … pointing to the cock and the owner. It was common to berate fellow “punters” (gamblers), that they were betting on chicken dinner. (The losing cock was dead … and became Chicken dinner.) Thus Winner, winner, chicken dinner.
Eric Rupp on Quora
The Larger Significance
At its heart, “Winner winner chicken dinner” is more than just a saying about victory; it reflects a simpler time. A chicken dinner, often seen as a staple and unpretentious meal, represents the idea that the joys of winning need not be extravagant. The celebration of a win, big or small, can be as simple and as satisfying as a meal.
It’s about Celebrating Success
Like many colloquialisms, “Winner winner chicken dinner” carries with it a rich tapestry of history, culture, and folklore. From the gambling halls of Las Vegas to the big screens and digital landscapes of gaming, its journey is a testament to how phrases evolve and adapt over time. Regardless of its origins, the phrase remains a charming and lighthearted way to celebrate success.
