Fat chance

Posted by ESC on January 15, 2004

In Reply to: Fat chances? posted by Joanne on January 15, 2004

: Why "fat chances" means low chances? "Fat" implies a big amount of something not at all something small.

: In my language (romanian) we say "slim chances" for low chances!

"Fat chance" (no "s") means very little chance. The speaker is being sarcastic.

In my part of the U.S., I have heard: "The chances of that happening are slim and none" and "Chances are slim that it will happen." But I have never heard "slim chances."

• Fat chance Joanne 15/January/04