The iconic line "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" originates from the 1996 crime drama film Casino directed by Martin Scorsese. In the movie, Robert De Niro‘s character Sam "Ace" Rothstein utters the phrase when he is buying his way into a high stakes poker game in Las Vegas. As Ace leaves the room after securing his spot in the game for $25,000, he proudly declares "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner." This moment has become one of the most memorable scenes from the movie and has permeated popular culture. But where did this quirky saying come from and what does it actually mean?
The History Behind "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner"
The origins of this phrase are uncertain, but it seems to date back to the Great Depression era. During this economically strained time, chicken was an affordable source of meat for many families. Earning a chicken dinner was considered a celebratory event, as chicken itself was a prized dish. The full phrase emerged as a way to announce and commemorate a win or achievement.
The saying gained even more popularity during World War II when it was used by Allied pilots. After a successful mission, pilots would radio back the code phrase “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” to indicate victory. The phrase took on special meaning because a chicken dinner was a particularly good meal during wartime shortages.
"Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" was further cemented into American lexicon in the 1950s when it was used on children‘s radio and TV game shows. When contestants won games, they were awarded chicken dinners. The host would declare their win by proudly announcing “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!” The saying started to represent the glory and satisfaction of winning something valuable.
By the time the line appeared in the 1990s movie Casino, it had become a well-known way to trumpet and celebrate a win in American culture. De Niro‘s confident character demonstrates this perfectly when he uses the line after gaining access to an exclusive high stakes poker game.
What Does “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” Mean?
While the origination of the phrase is uncertain, its meaning and usage in modern times is clear. “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” is uttered when someone wins something or has a notable achievement. It is an enthusiastic, vibrant expression to announce a win.
The phrase equates the victorious situation to winning a highly-prized chicken dinner. As chicken dinners were once considered a luxurious meal, they represented the ultimate prize. The saying links the emotions and satisfaction of victory to the feeling of contentment from eating a delicious chicken dinner.
It‘s often used in a boastful, playful, or congratulatory manner directed at either the winner themselves or others around them. The rhyming nature gives the line an upbeat, catchy ring to it. The phrase is versatile and can be applied to all kinds of wins big or small, from sports events to video games to business deals.
While “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” may sound silly or dated to some, it‘s retained popularity across generations due to its celebratory vibe. The line succinctly encapsulates the feeling of success.
Why “Chicken Dinner” Is Used in PUBG
“Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” experienced a huge resurgence thanks to the 2017 multiplayer battle royale game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG). PUBG utilizes the phrase in an innovative way.
At the start of each PUBG match, up to 100 players parachute onto an island scattered with weapons and equipment. The goal is to eliminate all other players and be the sole survivor at the end. The final person left alive after this intense elimination-style competition is ceremoniously awarded a “chicken dinner” for their victory.
The game intentionally uses the phrase “chicken dinner” to create a direct link back to the original saying. PUBG wanted a unique way to celebrate each hard-fought victory, while also referring back to the game’s basic goal of staying alive. A delicious chicken dinner represents the ultimate prize for outlasting the competition.
PUBG has helped skyrocket the phrase back into mainstream use, especially among online gaming communities. Seeing “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” pop up on the screen reinforces the satisfaction of each hard-won victory.
Meaning Behind "Second Place Is First Loser"
While “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” is a positive phrase celebrating victory, there is also a common snarky saying used to describe second place finishers: “Second place is first loser.”
This derivative phrase pokes fun at the fact that the runner up in any competition did not actually win, while also implying they are better than all the other non-winners who placed even further behind them. The saying diminishes the actual achievement of placing second by rhetorically labeling the person a “loser.”
Referring to someone as a loser for finishing second may seem harsh on the surface. But the phrase is often used in a tongue-in-cheek manner between friends or competitors who have a mutual understanding it’s just light banter.
The intent behind “second place is first loser” is more about evaluating success based on the competitive construct of “winner vs loser.” Only the top finisher can lay claim to winner status. In this framework, the best non-winner can only aspire to be “first loser.”
While “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” and “Second place is first loser” may seem contradictory, they actually align in terms of competitively positioning first and second place. The winner gets all the glory, while everyone else is a loser to varying degrees.
Opposite Words for Chicken and Winner
Since "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" glorifies both winning and chicken, examining words with the opposite meaning provides an interesting contrast.
Opposites for Chicken
- Beef – Chicken‘s most common meat counterpart on menus and in meals. Beef comes from cows, while chicken comes from chickens.
- Vegetables – For vegetarians/vegans, vegetables represent the opposite of eating chicken. Plants vs animals.
- Fish – White fish like cod is lower fat than chicken and offers an alternative protein option.
- Beans – High protein legumes like beans can substitute for chicken in some dishes.
- Tofu – Made from soy, tofu is a popular plant-based protein that replicates some properties of chicken.
Opposites for Winner
- Loser – The direct antonym for winner in a competition. Falls short of the goal or first place finish.
- Runner-up – The second place finisher who is not the winner but outpaced third place and beyond.
- Defeated – Someone who did not win and performed poorly compared to others.
- Underdog – A person/team expected to lose who exceeded expectations but still did not win.
- Also-ran – A person or group that did not win and finished middle of the pack or lower.
Examining linguistic opposites illustrates how “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” uses both positive terms to craft an enthusiastic, joyful phrase indicating total victory.
Characteristics of a Sour Winner
While “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” represents the pinnacle of excitement and satisfaction in winning, not all winners respond so graciously. “Sour winners” describe those who may win but react with a surly attitude.
Some defining traits of sour winners include:
- Showing little joy or missing the feeling of satisfaction from their win
- Acting entitled about their success as if it was expected
- Bragging, rubbing it in, or otherwise making others feel bad
- Refusing to acknowledge luck or help from others in winning
- Acting smug, arrogant, or otherwise overly self-assured
- Feeling the need to criticize the losers and point out their flaws
Sour winning contradicts the playful, cheerful spirit embodied in the phrase “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.” Sour winners drain the fun and energy out of having achieved success. Their bitterness and sense of entitlement overrides any capacity for celebrating graciously.
While winners should rightly feel proud, there are graceful ways to indulge in success without putting down others or dismissively showing off. Truly appreciating the journey and struggle to achieve a win generally leads to more authentic joy and gratitude.
Fun Dinner Table Games for Families and Friends
The dinner table presents a great opportunity for conversation, storytelling, and laughs through fun games. Here are some lively games perfect for bringing family and friends together over food.
The Storytelling Game
Go around the table with each person adding the next line of an unfolding story. See where the silly plot goes by building on each other‘s ideas!
Would You Rather?
Take turns asking "would you rather…" questions that propose two absurd options and have everyone vote on which they‘d choose. Get creative and tailor questions to the people playing.
Two Truths and a Lie
Each person shares three statements about themselves, two true and one a lie. Everyone else tries to guess which statement is the lie.
Guess the Baby Photo
Have everyone bring a photo of themselves as a cute little baby. Pass the photos around and try to guess who is who!
Restaurant Reviews
Pretend you are a restaurant critic and take turns creatively reviewing the meal in front of you, offering praise and constructive criticism.
The Alphabet Game
Pick a category like animals, foods, cities, etc. Go around the table with each person naming something in that category that starts with the next letter. First person says "apple", second says "banana" and so on through the alphabet.
Trivia Time
Test everyone‘s random knowledge by looking up fun trivia questions on your phones and quizzing each other through meals. Categories can range from pop culture and nature to science and history.
Dinner Charades
Write down funny ideas, book titles, songs, movies, etc. and place them in a hat. Have people pick something from the hat, and act it out for others to guess.
Playing games together is a great way to switch up dinnertime and bring some fresh fun and connection to the table.
The Risks and Rewards of Playing Chicken
"Playing chicken" is a dangerous ritual of courage where people challenge each other to risky brinksmanship for status and respect. Who will chicken out first before catastrophe ensues?
The game‘s origins come from dangerous driving stunts where two cars race directly toward each other, and whoever swerves first is deemed the cowardly "chicken." This high-stakes contest of guts and nerve was popularized in movies like 1955‘s Rebel Without a Cause.
While originally about cars, people now play chicken metaphorically by pushing dangerous or daring situations to the limit. Examples include:
-
Business partners each refusing to budge during tense negotiations
-
Test of wills between rivals seeing who will back down first
-
Couples provoking jealousy in each other over flirting with others
-
Friends pressuring each other to take physical risks like extreme sports
-
Nations engaged in escalating threats of war or nuclear options
The motivations of playing chicken are complex but revolve around pride, insecurity, ego, and peer pressure. People want to prove themselves while not losing face by being the first to yield.
The risks, however, are catastrophic since contests of pride can turn toward actual car crashes, career suicide, destroyed relationships, or even nuclear Armageddon. The costs outweigh any temporary status gained.
Playing chicken is ultimately about manipulating or dominating others through unsafe brinksmanship. The "winner" only triumphs by luck, as the loser could have just as easily taken it too far. Cooperating to "swerve" together promotes better outcomes all around.
Hawk and Hen – A Strategic Dinner Table Game
Hawk and Hen is a fun strategic game often played at the dinner table with family and friends. The game dynamics mimic a hawk chasing a hen, seeing who can outmaneuver the other on the game board. Here are the key rules:
-
2 players: one as the hawk, one as the hen
-
Roll dice to move hawk and hen pieces around the board‘s 25 squares
-
If the hawk lands on the hen‘s square, the hawk captures the hen and wins
-
Hen can‘t move backwards, only forwards, sideways, or diagonally
-
If hawk rolls 3 or higher, they set the hawk piece down on any vacant square
-
If hen rolls 3 or higher, they set the hen piece down on any vacant square
-
Pieces must stay in place unless opponent rolls 3+ again
-
Numbers 1 or 2 mean you move that many squares
-
If both roll 3+ simultaneously, re-roll until someone wins
The goal is to outwit and outmaneuver the other player so your own piece can capture your opponent‘s piece. Kids and adults love the simple but strategic nature of the game. It brings out people‘s competitive spirit in a fun back-and-forth family game night activity.
Shipping Policies for Winner Winner App Orders
The Winner Winner app provides a fun and easy way for users to win real cash instantly through games, scratchers, and other features. The app offers users free standard shipping on all orders over $50 within the continental United States.
For any orders under $50, a flat $5 shipping fee is applied. Winner Winner uses trusted major carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS to ship orders. The app provides tracking so users can follow their shipment status.
Shipping methods available include:
-
Standard Shipping – 3 to 6 business day delivery
-
Expedited Shipping – 2 to 3 business day delivery for an added fee
-
Express Shipping – Next business day delivery for an added fee
-
International Shipping – Varies based on location
Winners have 10 days from the win date to order merchandise before the prize offering expires. All shipping policies are subject to additional terms and conditions listed in the Winner Winner app.
The convenience of free standard shipping on higher value orders combined with reliable fulfillment takes the headache out of ordering prizes earned through the app. Users can enjoy their wins without worrying about extra shipping costs or hassles.
Is Winner Winner a Legitimate App to Earn Cash Prizes?
Winner Winner is a free gaming app allowing users to win cash prizes through mini games, scratchers, quizzes, and more. But is it a legal and functional app that actually pays out real money to users?
Here are the key facts about Winner Winner:
-
Available on iOS and Android as a free download
-
Developed by Surge Holdings, Inc., a publicly traded company
-
Advertises "win real cash instantly" payout potential
-
Provides plenty of reviews and ratings showing prize earnings
-
Free to play with in-app purchases for non-cash perks
-
Money won can be cashed out via Paypal or redeemed for gift cards
While it seems legitimate, some users have complained about issues receiving payments or contacting customer support. Reading the app‘s fine print about payment procedures is advisable.
Ultimately, Winner Winner does provide a real opportunity to win small amounts of cash by playing mini games quickly on your phone. But cash out options may involve some lag. Just don’t expect life-changing jackpot earnings despite the appealing "win real cash instantly" pitch. Approach it as a fun diversion that may reward a free dinner or cup of coffee periodically, not a way to strike it rich.
