Meaning of Idiom ‘Chopped Liver’
Chopped liver is someone unimportant, insignificant, trivial, worthless, unappealing; easy to ignore.
Usage – What Am I? Chopped Liver?
Chopped liver is more often used as part of the fuller phrase from Jewish humor, ‘what am I, chopped liver?’ It is used as a semi-joking expression of anger, frustration, or indignation at being ignored or overlooked for someone else.
Chopped liver is also sometimes used in phrases such as “I’m going to make chopped liver out of you,” meaning ‘I’m going to beat you up (or worse).’
Sentence Examples
“Peter was a big help moving all my furniture.” “And what am I, chopped liver?”
“I’m tired of being treated like chopped liver around here. I think I’ll go somewhere I’m appreciated.”
“I just need someone to talk to right now.” “Well, what am I, chopped liver? I’m talking to you.”
“You look beautiful.” “What am l, chopped liver?” “Actually, yeah.” — Stuck on You (2003)
“Will you talk to me? What am l, chopped liver?” — Innerspace (1987)
“It’s the right thing to do.” “And that’s not chopped liver, right?” “Nuh-uh.” — New York, I Love You (2009)
“Mr. Bartholomew, I’m catching the next plane out of here. I’m not going to sit around for somebody to make chopped liver out of me.” — Charade (1963)
Origin
Chopped liver is a common Jewish dish often found in delicatessens, consisting of chopped liver and onions traditionally cooked in schmaltz, or chicken fat. While chopped liver can be very savory and rich, it is not always appreciated by everyone and can be bland, depending on who cooked it. It is often claimed that, either because it is a dish that is not always appreciated by everyone, or because it is often served as side dish rather than a main course, the expression ‘what am I, chopped liver’ came about.
Chopped liver has long been used by Jewish people when they are looking for something to compare something to but are at a loss for what to use, so they say ‘chopped liver.’ For example, “Wow, this car is nice!” “What did you think it was, chopped liver?” It is usually used as part of a complaint or a sarcastic remark.
