rubber-chicken

adjective

rub·​ber-chick·​en ˈrə-bər-ˈchi-kən How to pronounce rubber-chicken (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a series of social gatherings (such as fund-raising dinners) at which speeches are given
the rubber-chicken circuit

Examples of rubber-chicken in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Awards strategists say every Oscar season seems to find such a cast, the one that seems like the fun table at the rubber-chicken dinner, and the one that draws others into its orbit. Erich Schwartzel, WSJ, 12 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rubber-chicken.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from the low quality of the food stereotypically served at such events

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rubber-chicken was in 1972

Dictionary Entries Near rubber-chicken

Cite this Entry

“Rubber-chicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubber-chicken. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!