“Guess What? Chicken Butt!” – The Hilarious History Behind This Childish Phrase

Ever been caught off guard by someone saying “chicken butt” after you innocently asked “guess what?” If so, you’re definitely not alone! This silly playground comeback has been making kids giggle (and adults roll their eyes) for decades. But where did this bizarre phrase actually come from? Let’s dive into the strange and fascinating origin of “guess what? chicken butt!”

The Meaning Behind “Guess What? Chicken Butt!”

Before we get into where this phrase came from let’s break down what it actually means… which is basically nothing! This expression is what language experts call a non sequitur – a response that doesn’t logically follow from what was said before. Its sole purpose is to

• Catch someone off guard
• Make people laugh (especially the person saying it)
• Create a harmless “gotcha” moment
• Waste someone’s time in a playful way

The phrase typically works in two ways:

1. The interruption method Person A says “Guess what!” and Person B jumps in with “Chicken butt!” before Person A can share their news

2. The setup method Person A says “Guess what!” Person B responds “What?” and Person A delivers the punchline “Chicken butt!”

It’s childish, silly, and has absolutely zero deep meaning – which is precisely why kids love it so much!

The Surprising Origins of “Chicken Butt”

Now for the interesting part – where did this weird phrase actually come from? There are a few competing theories:

Theory #1: The Merchant’s Chant

The most commonly accepted origin traces back to street merchants who would call out their wares and prices. Apparently, chicken shoulders were once advertised with a catchy chant:

“Chicken butt! Five cents a cut!”

But wait – chicken shoulders? Not actual chicken butts?

That’s right! “Butt” in this context didn’t refer to the rear end of the chicken. Back in the 14th century, “butt” actually referred to barrels (from the French word “botte” and Latin “buttis” for cask). Butchers would pack less desirable cuts of meat, like shoulders, into these barrels for storage or shipping. Over time, people started calling these meat cuts “butts” too.

Theory #2: The Porgy and Bess Connection

Some language experts believe this phrase gained popularity thanks to George Gershwin’s famous 1935 opera “Porgy and Bess.” In one scene, a character named Maria uses the merchants’ chant when insulting another character:

“I hates yo’ struttin’ style, Yes sir, and yo’ god d*mn silly smile an yo’ ten cent di’mons an’ yo’ fi’ cent butts. Oh, I hates yo’ guts.”

This opera was extremely influential in American culture, so it’s possible this helped spread the phrase.

When Did “Guess What? Chicken Butt!” Become Popular?

While the origins of “chicken butt” might go way back, the actual phrase “Guess what? Chicken butt!” is surprisingly newer than you might think.

The earliest documented evidence of anything resembling this phrase appears in Charles G. Bell’s 1962 novel “The Married Land,” which includes:

“What, what, chicken butt, come around the house and lick it up.”

By 1973, we see clear documentation of the phrase in “Black Language” by Malachi Andrews and Paul T. Owens, which describes:

“Chicken Butt – When someone calls out, ‘What?’, because they didn’t hear, a reply might be the rhyme, ‘Chicken Butt.’ It means forget it; I am not going to repeat it. Junior flip usage.”

This suggests the phrase originated in southern Black American culture, probably in the 1950s or early 1960s. However, it didn’t become widely popular among all American children until the late 1970s and 1980s.

Chicken Butt Variations and Spin-offs

Like any good childish phrase, “guess what? chicken butt!” has spawned many creative variations. Some popular spin-offs include:

• “Guess why? Chicken thigh!”
• “Guess who? Chicken tattoo!”
• “What’s up? Chicken butt!”
• “Guess what? Snot!” (apparently more common in the UK)

Some kids have even created longer routines with extended rhymes, like:

“Guess what, chicken butt. Every see one on a turkey?”

When (Not) To Use “Guess What? Chicken Butt!”

I probably don’t need to tell you this, but just in case: this phrase is entirely colloquial and should really only be used in casual settings among friends or family. Your boss probably won’t appreciate this witty comeback in the middle of a staff meeting!

Kids under 10 tend to find this phrase absolutely hilarious, while teenagers might roll their eyes but secretly still enjoy it. It’s one of those timeless playground phrases that continues to be passed down from generation to generation.

The Cultural Impact of “Chicken Butt”

What’s fascinating is how this silly phrase has remained in our collective consciousness for decades. People from different regions across the US (and even internationally) report hearing and using the phrase throughout their childhoods.

Many people recall first encountering it in the 1980s and 1990s on school playgrounds. The phrase seems to have crossed regional, racial, and socioeconomic boundaries to become a universal part of American childhood.

Is “Guess What? Chicken Butt!” Still Used Today?

Absolutely! Despite its age, this phrase continues to be popular among children today. There’s something timeless about its simple rhythm and childish humor that keeps it relevant generation after generation.

In fact, modern pop culture occasionally references the phrase. It’s appeared in TV shows, YouTube videos, and even merchandise. The tradition lives on!

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – the surprising history behind “guess what? chicken butt!” What started as a merchant’s call about cheap meat cuts somehow transformed into one of the most enduring childish comebacks in American culture.

Next time a kid tries to catch you with this phrase, you can surprise them with your knowledge about 14th century barrels and opera references… or you could just laugh and play along with this silly but enduring part of childhood culture.

What’s your experience with this phrase? Did you use it as a kid? Have your children or grandchildren ambushed you with it? Either way, now you know its strange and fascinating history!

The proverb “the chickens come home to roost” originates from the familiar sight of farm chickens returning to their coops at dusk to roost. The full expression, “Curses are like chickens; they always come home to roost,” can be found as far back as Geoffrey Chaucer’s writings in 1390, though with a less specific bird imagery.

Chickens were originally domesticated from the wild Red Junglefowl, primarily the Gallus gallus spadiceus subspecies, in Southeast Asia, with evidence suggesting the process began in places like central Thailand between 1650 and 1250 BCE. The domestication was likely driven by factors beyond just food, as early farmers may have found the birds attracted to human settlements and agricultural waste, leading to a more complex relationship that included cultural and possibly religious significance.

The word “chicken” comes from the Old English word ċicen, meaning “chick” or the young of a bird, possibly onomatopoeic from the sounds the bird makes. This Proto-Germanic root, kiukinam, was also the source for similar terms in other Germanic languages. By the late 14th century, the word’s meaning expanded to include the adult bird and even its meat, eventually replacing the broader term “fowl“ for the common domesticated bird.