The phrase “Winner winner, chicken dinner!” is believed to have originated in Las Vegas casinos in the mid-20th century. Back then, a standard chicken dinner cost around $1.79—roughly the same as a winning bet in many games. Casino dealers would shout the phrase to celebrate a gambler’s small win, implying they had enough to treat themselves to a hearty meal.
The expression later gained popularity in pop culture and is now commonly used to celebrate any kind of victory. It also gained traction in the gaming world, especially in PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), where it appears as a congratulatory message for winning the game.
Lighthearted and fun, the phrase continues to be a playful nod to triumph and good fortune.