Rubber chicken

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A rubber chicken is a comedy prop: an imitation chicken made of latex that often has a squeaker inside so it squeaks when squeezed. The term is also used to describe the food served at big events and as a joke about giving speeches.

The exact origin is unclear. It probably came from old props and fake food used by performers before modern rubber and plastic. Some early stories mention performers like John Holmberg and Joseph Grimaldi using such items to mock gluttony, and there’s a popular claim that French Revolution soldiers hung a chicken on their muskets for luck.

Today, the phrase describes the kind of food served at large gatherings where many people are fed quickly. Pre-cooked chicken is kept warm for a long time and sauced as it’s served, which can make the meat tough or rubbery. People who travel the "rubber chicken circuit" attend many of these events to give speeches, often as part of campaigns.