A Chicken In Every Pot

Suggestive of general welfare or prosperity

First stated by Henry IV of France as,

"I want there to be no peasant in my realm so poor that
he will not have a chicken in his pot every Sunday."

"A chicken in every pot" is a quotation that is perhaps one of the most mis-assigned in American political history. Variously attributed to each of four presidents serving between 1920 and 1936, it is most often associated with Herbert Hoover. 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."

The link between Hoover and the phrase "a chicken in every pot" can be traced to a paid advertisement which apparently originated with the Republican National Committee, who inserted it into a number of newspapers during the 1928 campaign. The ad described in detail how the Republican administrations of Harding and Coolidge had "reduced hours and increased earning capacity, silenced discontent, put the proverbial 'chicken in every pot.' And a car in every backyard, to boot." The ad concluded that a vote for Hoover would be a vote for continued prosperity.

America invented industrial poultry production, but a century ago in the United States, chickens were more prized as showpieces than dinner table centerpieces. Chickens, like many fancy pigeon breeds of today, were bred more for exhibition than consumption. Only around 1910 did raising these birds for eggs supersede raising them for show. When Herbert Hoover promised “a chicken in every pot” in 1928, America’s entire annual per-capita consumption could fit in a pot.  Americans were eating an average of only a half-pound of chicken a year. By 1945, the figure stood at five pounds per year. The radical change happened after World War II. Current chicken consumption is around 90 pounds a year, over half a bird a week. Chicken used to be more expensive than steak or lobster in the United States; poultry may now be cheaper than the potatoes with which it’s served.


This vintage tablecloth depicts various pots and pans and other small
kitchen appliances in a homey colorway that says, "warm and cozy" to me.
Both contemporary and vintage pieces are included
for the perfect chicken dinner to be served on The Little Round Table.
Details at the end of this post.

Vintage Kitchen Kraft individual casserole in Fiesta Yellow

Vintage Fiesta Disc pitcher in Yellow

Vintage Harlequin Ball Jug in Light Green

Vintage rack holding vintage custard cups from several makers.

Fiesta Yellow Kitchen Kraft Ball Jar

Italian Glass chargers - Tuesday Morning

Contemporary Fiesta in Shamrock, Cinnabar and White

Vintage Fiesta in Yellow

Napkins, lantern - Home Goods

Napkin Rings - Bed Bath Beyond

Goblets - Pier 1

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