2006-09-01 12:33:18 · 11 answers · asked by mandy g 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It means that you have almost gotten the point but not quite. So it's like you are warm but no prize.
2006-09-01 12:35:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Close, but no cigar" is a cliché, but it helps comfort those of us who don't always emerge victorious.
Anyone who's ever lost at a card game or been aced out of a primo parking spot knows losing isn't fun. This is true now, and it was true when the phrase first came to prominence. According to Bartleby, the phrase likely originated at carnivals when cigars were given away as prizes. We can imagine fiendish carnival workers using the feel-good phrase as a way to get suckers like us with poor aim to try our luck again.
The Phrase Finder offers a slightly different story. The site states that the saying came from the custom of early slot machines awarding cigars to winners. A third theory comes from Take Our Word for It, which says nobody knows exactly how the phrase came about, but that it likely came to prominence at carnivals, specifically the game where players use a sledgehammer to ring a bell. Macho victors were given cigars, while the wimps were told they came close, but they would not be receiving any carcinogenic tobacco for their efforts.
2006-09-01 14:57:08 · answer #2 · answered by sunshine05rose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Meaning
Fall just short of a successful outcome and get nothing for your efforts.
Origin
The phrase, and its variant 'nice try, but no cigar', are of US origin and date from the mid-20th century. Fairground stalls gave out cigars as prizes, and this is the most likely source, although there's no definitive evidence to prove that.
Pretty cool!
It is first recorded in print in Sayre and Twist's publishing of the script of the 1935 film version of Annie Oakley:
"Close, Colonel, but no cigar!"
It appears in U. S. newspapers widely from around 1949 onwards. For example, a story from The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, Nov 1949, where The Lima House Cigar and Sporting Goods Store narrowly avoided being burned down in a fire, was titled 'Close But No Cigar'.
*** Sorry for the repeat... didn't quite post fast enough! :)
2006-09-01 12:38:36 · answer #3 · answered by happymonkie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Close, but no cigar
Meaning
Fall just short of a successful outcome and get nothing for your efforts.
Origin
The phrase, and its variant 'nice try, but no cigar', are of US origin and date from the mid-20th century. Fairground stalls gave out cigars as prizes, and this is the most likely source, although there's no definitive evidence to prove that.
It is first recorded in print in Sayre and Twist's publishing of the script of the 1935 film version of Annie Oakley:
"Close, Colonel, but no cigar!"
It appears in U. S. newspapers widely from around 1949 onwards. For example, a story from The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, Nov 1949, where The Lima House Cigar and Sporting Goods Store narrowly avoided being burned down in a fire, was titled 'Close But No Cigar'.
2006-09-01 12:35:01 · answer #4 · answered by melissa 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well....genious!? Normally when a person wins a big game or wins a big bet that person would light up a cigar for celebration. When a man finds out he is having a baby what does he do for all his buddys to celebrate with????? He buys everyone cigars and smokes it with them for celebration purposes. Good luck with the rest of your life there chons
2006-09-01 12:40:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
American phrase
It probably comes from the days of the carnival midway when a man could win a cigar in the test of strength.
2006-09-01 12:36:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It used too i now locate it laughable some are claiming the bible is genuine even nonetheless that's not this word is a trademark that they at the instant are not attracted to communique and that they are actual pwned plus in accordance with a un-shown, re-edited, had words edited and been mistranslated e book because of the fact the muse of your understanding would not say lots solid approximately your understanding i do no longer see "case closed" yet I see many whine that that's their theory/opinion as though that provides them some immunity edit: I believe easily Funke "case closed" is a fashion of asserting their minds are closed - I even have in basic terms seen my first one the e book as evidence is basic to mock as that makes harry potter, physician who etc genuine as they have books approximately them and so as that they might desire to be genuine too
2016-11-06 06:12:26 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well since cigars a traditionally used to celebrate something when someone says that, they are saying nice try but you dont get to celbrate. durp
2006-09-01 12:35:37 · answer #8 · answered by official bowl loader 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it means you came close but you don't get the prize because you did not win
2006-09-01 12:35:40 · answer #9 · answered by chloe dog 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A weird one. I don't say that. Some people do. You know what they mean, so why are you complaining?
2006-09-04 13:16:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋