# Origins of "What am I - chopped chicken liver?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 21, 2004, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-what-am-i-chopped-chicken-liver/230310 "2004-02-21T01:54:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-what-am-i-chopped-chicken-liver/230310/1 "2004-02-21T01:54:37Z")
I know chopped chicken liver is basically pâte, but I’m not clear what that has to do with the expression “what am I - chopped chicken liver?” to denote that you’ve been ignored. (Usually after other people have been acknowledged and you should have been too). If someone could explain to me why “to be overlooked” relates to chopped chicken liver, I would appreciate that. But the main question I have is, does anyone know from where the expression originates? Perhaps a famous person, or a certain country, or a certain profession ie. the culinary profession? [sub]BTW, I have a really good idea what I’m going to say if nobody pays atention to this thread[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-what-am-i-chopped-chicken-liver/230310/2 "2004-02-21T02:26:52Z")
I believe it’s a (possibly NYC-specific) Jewish expression which refers to chopped liver being served as a mere side dish. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-what-am-i-chopped-chicken-liver/230310/3 "2004-02-21T02:40:22Z")
The expression is currently traced to the 1940’s. Almost certainly US. And if a Jewish comedian first used it, it wouldn’t be surprising. The expression seems to have been, at that time, “and that ain’t chopped liver” or some variant of that. Meaning, it isn’t cheap. I think that chopped liver in a Deli in the 1940’s or earlier, would certainly have been cheaper than the pastrami, corned beef, etc. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-what-am-i-chopped-chicken-liver/230310/4 "2004-02-21T02:42:48Z")
And, to finish, taking the expression from “that ain’t chopped liver” to “what am I, chopped liver?” is simply modifying it to say “what am I–insignificant?” ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-what-am-i-chopped-chicken-liver/230310/5 "2004-02-21T05:04:15Z")
> [@Dooku](#): > > [sub]BTW, I have a really good idea what I’m going to say if nobody pays atention to this thread[/sub] Okay, but take some friendly advice and leave the “chicken” out of it. I’ve never before seen or heard it with that extra word in the phrase, and now I can see why. It’s unnecessary, and it makes it cumbersome, destroying its rhythm and punch. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2004, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-what-am-i-chopped-chicken-liver/230310/6 "2004-02-22T17:02:20Z")
One of [The Master’s minions speaks](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/myiddish.html) ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-what-am-i-chopped-chicken-liver/230310/7 "2004-02-23T20:13:48Z")
Well, I didn’t know it was a side dish. That explains it rather well. Thanks for the replies, folks. (And I swear I searched the archive. Humph). (Gary T, I’ve only ever heard it with chicken in there. Blame my parents, I guess. Or the Mid-West). ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-what-am-i-chopped-chicken-liver/230310/8 "2004-02-24T01:11:21Z")
A minion, you think I am? All by myself? I’d need nine other … umm… ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-what-am-i-chopped-chicken-liver/230310/9 "2004-02-24T04:17:58Z")
Chopped liver with minions? No, no, no. Chopped liver with **onions**!