Finger lickin’ good


What's the meaning of the phrase 'Finger lickin good'?

Excellent – especially of food. Known primarily as the slogan of the KFC food chain.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Finger lickin good'?

This advertising slogan of KFC (previously Kentucky Fried Chicken) has proved highly successful and long-lasting. KFC was founded by Harland David Sanders, better known as Colonel Sanders (and, to paraphrase The Simpsons, ‘not a real colonel’).

Clearly, the allusion in the slogan is to the fact that KFC products are normally eaten without the aid of a knife and fork.

A friend told me that when he visited Quebec he saw a KFC sign claiming that their products were ‘finger lickin bon’. I live in hope that this is true.

Trend of finger lickin ‘ good in printed material over time

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Finger lickin’ good

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