Nightly "What is the origin of that phrase?"

[caledesi]

Good evening fellow DUers. Have an interesting one for you tonight.

Where did the expression "close, but no cigar" come from?

You know the rules: No googling, search engines, books etc.
If you don't know what it is, make something good up.

Congratulations to our last winner: AlabamaYankee

Winner receives 10 shares of Enron stock.

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. It comes from carny days!

You know, those guys with small hands, who smell of cabbage.

[caledesi]

6. You are close Rab. Hint: Casinos not carnivals...think about it. nt

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. Eh, casinos, carnivals...

:-) :spank:

[onebigbadwulf]

2. isnt it from carnivals?

I think I remember it dealing with the sledgehammer game.

[THUNDER HANDS]

3. um..

when the CIA tried to kill Castro?

[ProudGerman]

4. The first time

a republican hit on Lewinskey?

[Rowdyboy]

5. I thought it had something to do with the old Groucho Marx show...

Boy was I wrong!

[JVS]

7. Roulette

[MissMarple]

9. You took the word right off my finger tips!

:D

[caledesi]

10. 10 minutes before answer. Hint #2: slot machines nt

[caledesi]

11. Answer.

Meaning - Come disappointingly close to success.


The Origin - Early slot machines gave out cigars as prizes.

Yeah, cigars.

Now about Groucho....When Groucho was hosting "You Bet Your Life," he had a man on who has about 6-7 kids. When Groucho heard this, he said "I like my cigar too, but I take it out of mouth once in awhile."

That's why you are thinking of Groucho

No winners tonight.