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"CHICKEN IN EVERY POT"

"CHICKEN IN EVERY POT" is a quotation that is perhaps one of the most misassigned in American political history. Variously attributed to each of four presidents serving between 1920 and 1936, it is most often associated with Herbert Hoover. In fact, the phrase has its origins in seventeenth century France; Henry IV reputedly wished that each of his peasants would enjoy "a chicken in his pot every Sunday." Although Hoover never uttered the phrase, the Republican Party did use it in a 1928 campaign advertisement touting a period of "Republican prosperity" that had provided a "chicken in every pot. And a car in every backyard, to boot."

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mayer, George H. The Republican Party, 1854–1966. 2d rev. ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1967.

Republican Party Campaign Ad. New York World, 30 October 1928.

Gordon E. Harvey

See also Elections, Presidential; Republican Party.