Close but no cigar

[DarthPhilius]

is 'close but no cigar' a real saying? im in an argument with my friends bcoz they think its not but i do. Thanks

[stewey]

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.

(The above was pasted from another site)

[makemesmile]

Thomas Dolby certainly thought it was... (track 15)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Retrospectacle-Best-Th omas-Dolby/dp/B000002TNF/sr=8-3/qid=1170237050 /ref=pd_ka_3/026-2346733-6382859?ie=UTF8&s=mus ic

[BigMac]

Groucho Marx used it on a TV quiz show.

[DarthPhilius]

thanks people

[Postdog]

Just to add, I think the carnival connection is spot on. I collect (download) old cartoons, and I remember watching one from the 30's (either Popeye or Betty Boop) where there was a try your strength stall and the only prizes for hitting the bell were cigars. I realised when I first saw that that it must be where the saying came from.