Have you ever shouted “Winner winner chicken dinner!” after scoring a victory or hitting the jackpot? This catchy phrase has become part of our modern lexicon, popping up everywhere from casino floors to video games and movies. But where exactly did this quirky celebration come from? The origins might surprise you!
As someone who’s spent way too much time researching random phrases (yes I’m that person at parties), I’ve discovered that the history behind “winner winner chicken dinner” is actually quite fascinating and a bit contested. Let’s dive into the juicy details of this popular expression that’s now embedded in our culture.
The Disputed Origins of “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner”
The exact birthplace of this phrase isn’t 100% certain, but several compelling theories exist about its creation Let’s explore the most popular origin stories
The Las Vegas Casino Theory
The most widely accepted theory connects the phrase to Las Vegas casinos back in the Depression Era (late 1920s and 1930s). According to this version:
- Casinos in Vegas offered chicken dinners for around $1.79
- These meals typically included a three-piece chicken dinner with a potato and vegetable
- The standard gambling bet at the time was about $2
- If you won a bet, you’d have enough money to buy this dinner
- Hence, winning at gambling = winning a chicken dinner
This explanation makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Back then, a chicken dinner was considered quite a treat, especially during economic hardship. Winning enough money for a decent meal was definitely celebration-worthy!
The Back-Alley Gamblers Theory
David Guzman, who literally wrote the book on craps lingo (specifically A Guide to Craps Lingo from Snake Eyes to Muleteeth), offers a slightly different take:
- During the Great Depression, desperate gamblers would participate in back-alley games
- These gamblers would bet whatever little they had in hopes of winning enough for a chicken dinner
- These informal gambling rings became an avenue for down-on-their-luck people to potentially earn a meal
- The phrase emerged from these high-stakes (at least for the participants) scenarios
Both theories point to the same era and similar circumstances, so it’s possible that elements of both stories contributed to the phrase’s development.
How “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” Entered Popular Culture
While the phrase may have originated in the 1920s or 1930s, it wasn’t until much later that it really exploded in popularity.
The Movie “21” (2008)
The biggest catalyst for the phrase’s mainstream adoption was the 2008 casino heist film 21 starring Kevin Spacey. The movie, based on a true story about MIT students who learned to count cards and won big at blackjack tables, featured the phrase prominently.
In the film, the phrase is described as what blackjack dealers call out when the protagonist wins a round. According to casino dealer Janifer from OnTheFelt blog, this movie reintroduction made the phrase unbearably popular among casino patrons:
“The reason why this classic quote received new attention is thanks to the Kevin Spacey 2008 movie ’21’ based on the true story of a group of MIT students that learned how to count cards and basically defrauded the casinos out of some heavy change at the blackjack tables.”
She adds, rather amusingly: “Make your dealer happy. Don’t quote this movie.”
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) Video Game
The phrase got another massive boost in 2017 with the release of the wildly popular battle royale game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG). Game developer Brendan “PlayerUnknown” Greene was apparently a fan of the phrase and included it as the victory message players see when they’re the last one standing in this notoriously difficult game.
When you manage to survive against 99 other players and win a round of PUBG, your screen displays the coveted “WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!” message. This implementation introduced the phrase to millions of gamers worldwide.
Corporate Adoption of the Phrase
Interestingly, the Louisiana fried chicken restaurant chain Raising Cane’s recognized the value of this phrase and trademarked “Winner! Winner! Chicken dinner!” in 2013. They’ve since used it in various advertisements and promotions.
Despite holding the trademark, Raising Cane’s hasn’t aggressively enforced it against other entities using the phrase, which is why you still see it widely used across media and games.
How People Use “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” Today
This versatile phrase has evolved beyond its gambling roots and is now used in several contexts:
1. Celebrating Game Victories
The most straightforward use is to celebrate winning any type of game:
- “Hey, winner winner chicken dinner! How’d you get so good at Mario Kart?”
- “Looks like we’ve got a winner winner chicken dinner! Well-played, my friend!”
2. Self-Celebration
It’s also common to use the phrase to celebrate your own wins:
- “Woo hoo, winner winner chicken dinner! Looks like this round of cards is mine!”
- “Guess who was a winner winner chicken dinner at the carnival today? Me! Check out the prize I won!”
3. Acknowledging Someone’s Good Luck
Beyond just games, the phrase can reference any stroke of good fortune:
- “Winner winner chicken dinner, Ben! How’d you manage to score such good concert tickets?”
- “Wow, you got a new iPad for your birthday? Winner winner chicken dinner!”
Why Casino Dealers Might Hate This Phrase
One amusing note: some casino dealers absolutely HATE hearing this phrase. According to Janifer from OnTheFelt:
“I can’t tell you how much I hate this quote. The sound of it is actually cringe-worthy to me, kind of like nails on a chalkboard.”
She explains that after hearing it repeated at almost every gig she deals at (and sometimes not even at blackjack tables), the phrase becomes unbearable. She compares it to working at a karaoke bar where drunk customers repeatedly butcher the same songs night after night.
Other Media References
Beyond “21” and PUBG, the phrase has appeared in other films including:
- “Zookeeper” (2011)
- “Tin Cup” (1996)
My Thoughts on “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner”
Personally, I find the phrase endearing in its simplicity. It’s one of those expressions that just feels good to say—it has rhythm, rhyme, and a touch of whimsy. Plus, it carries this weird nostalgic quality even if you weren’t alive during the Depression Era!
I do understand why dealers might be sick of hearing it, tho. Anything repeated too often can become annoying. It’s like when someone discovers your favorite obscure song and suddenly everyone’s playing it to death.
Is The Phrase Worth Using?
Should you use “winner winner chicken dinner” in your everyday life? Well, I’d say it depends on the context:
- Among friends during game night? Absolutely!
- At a professional poker tournament? Maybe read the room first.
- At an actual casino with dealers? Probably best to find another way to celebrate your wins.
Fun Facts About “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner”
To wrap things up, here are some interesting tidbits about this phrase:
- The chicken dinner that allegedly inspired the phrase cost just under $2, which would be equivalent to about $34 today when adjusted for inflation
- Despite its gambling origins, the phrase has been embraced by family-friendly contexts
- Some people have created drinking games around the phrase in PUBG (drink every time you see it)
- It’s become a popular hashtag on social media for celebrating all kinds of victories
Whether you love it or cringe at it, “winner winner chicken dinner” has secured its place in our cultural lexicon. From its humble origins in Depression-era gambling to Hollywood movies and video games, this phrase has shown remarkable staying power.
The next time you celebrate a win with these words, you’ll know you’re participating in a tradition that likely goes back nearly a century—connecting you with gamblers from the Roaring Twenties who were just happy to win enough for their next meal.
And isn’t that something worth celebrating? Winner winner chicken dinner, indeed!
How to Use “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner”
- 1 Congratulate someone for winning a game. When someone wins a game or competition, “Winner winner chicken dinner” is a classic phrase you can use to acknowledge the triumph. While this traditionally refers to gambling, it can apply to any sort of game—from carnival games to a video game tournament. You could even use it to call out your favorite sports team![4]
- “Hey, winner winner chicken dinner! How’d you get so good at Mario Kart?”
- “Looks like we’ve got a winner winner chicken dinner! Well-played, my friend!”
- 2 Celebrate your own victory in a game or contest. On the other hand, when you win something, there’s no harm in celebrating yourself—as long as you don’t rub it in too much! You can also use “winner winner chicken dinner” to refer to your triumph in a game (rather than someone else’s).[5]
- “Woo hoo, winner winner chicken dinner! Looks like this round of cards is mine!”
- “Guess who was a winner winner chicken dinner at the carnival today? Me! Check out the prize I won!”
- 3 Tell someone that they’re lucky. “Winner winner chicken dinner” can also be a creative way to refer to someone you think is lucky—since “winning” is sometimes linked with being lucky or having good luck. So, if you consider someone lucky, you can comment on their good fortune by calling them a “Winner winner chicken dinner.” For example:[6]
- “Winner winner chicken dinner, Ben! How’d you manage to score such good concert tickets?”
- “Wow, you got a new iPad for your birthday? Winner winner chicken dinner!”
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“Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” in Movies
- The phrase became popular after its inclusion in the film 21 (2008). 21 is a heist drama film about a group of MIT students who become trained experts in card counting in Blackjack and go on to win millions in Las Vegas casinos. In the movie, “Winner winner chicken dinner” is described as the phrase Blackjack dealers call out when the movie’s protagonist wins a round.
- Some who are familiar with “Winner winner chicken dinner” recognize it from this film; however, it’s also been used in other movies, including Zookeeper (2011) and Tin Cup (1996).
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okaywill – Chicken Dinner
FAQ
Where did the phrase winner winner chicken dinner come from?
The exact origin of the phrase winner winner chicken dinner 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.
What is a winner winner chicken dinner?
While the precise origin of “winner winner chicken dinner” is uncertain, it emerged in the early 20th century as a catchy way to celebrate gambling or game wins. The saying became popularized through military mess halls, casinos, film, TV, and eventually video game culture and online memes.
Why do casinos say ‘winner winner chicken dinner’?
The Vegas casino story remains the most credible and popular explanation. While “winner winner chicken dinner” seems firmly rooted in gambling and games of chance, its usage has evolved over the decades. The phrase is now used in a more general sense to celebrate victories and successes of all kinds, big and small.
Why does Alan say ‘winner winner chicken dinner’?
There is a scene in the movie where the character Alan, played by Zack Galifianakis, exclaims, “Winner winner chicken dinner!” after winning a substantial amount of money at the craps table. In this context, the phrase serves as a hilarious confirmation of success amidst the chaos and absurdity that unfolds in the movie.
What is winner winner chicken dinner in PUBG?
One of the most popular games that has helped to popularize the phrase “winner winner chicken dinner” is PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG). In this game, players fight to be the last person standing on a shrinking battlefield. When a player wins, the phrase “winner winner chicken dinner” appears on the screen.
Does Lil Wayne have a winner winner chicken dinner?
In 2018, the rapper Lil Wayne released a song titled “Uproar,” which features the phrase winner winner chicken dinner in the chorus. The song was a commercial success and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). If you’re a gamer, you’ve probably heard the phrase “winner winner chicken dinner” before.
What game is the winner winner chicken dinner from?
The phrase “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” in PUBG is a playful expression that originated in gambling, particularly in the context of betting on horse races. It suggests that the winner can afford a nice meal, which in this case is humorously represented by chicken dinner.
What’s the real “winner winner chicken dinner” story?
The legend tells that years ago every casino in Las Vegas had a three-piece chicken dinner with a potato and a veggie for $1.79. A standard bet back then was $2, hence when you won a bet you had enough for a chicken dinner. !”