2006-12-29 03:35:36 · 10 answers · asked by wo_ody693 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
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, November 1949, where The Lima House Cigar and Sporting Goods Store narrowly avoided being burned down in a fire, was titled 'Close But No Cigar'.
2006-12-29 03:39:07 · answer #1 · answered by Rasta 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When the game organizers @ carnivals would run out of Kewpie dolls for prizes, they would give out cigars to the winners. This would keep the money coming in until the carnival was over (You can't make $ sitting there w/ no prizes) and attracted an older crowd since near the end of an event, adults would be the only ones with money remaining.
2006-12-29 03:44:18 · answer #2 · answered by anerasescovedo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I heard it's from when carnivals or midways used to give out cigars for prizes. So, when you knocked over 2 of the 3 milk bottles, for example, you were close, but no cigar.
2006-12-29 03:39:31 · answer #3 · answered by sandand_surf 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Years ago one of the prizes given away at carnivals was a cigar. If you came close to winning a game but did not succeed they would say "Close but no cigar."
2006-12-29 03:41:43 · answer #4 · answered by diogenese_97 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cigars used to be given as prizes at carnivals and fairs. Just like today when you are plaing the water gun game at the fair and you lose. The game operator might say to you "close but, no stuffed bunny"
2006-12-29 03:40:52 · answer #5 · answered by Jake c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Carnies, gave aout cigars in the 20's....if you lost the game , they'd say close , but no cigar.
2006-12-29 03:41:33 · answer #6 · answered by twostories 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-31 03:32:40 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An old western movie
2006-12-29 03:39:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
W.C. Fields
Good Luck!!!
2006-12-29 03:38:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably originated from fairgrounds and carnivals.
2006-12-29 03:39:27 · answer #10 · answered by K. C. 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋