"Wave a dead chicken over it."

Posted by Jim Budrakey on August 04, 2005

I am trying to track down the origin of the phrase "Wave a dead chicken over it." I have frequently heard this phrase used when someone is attempting to fix a balky mechanical or electronic device - especially a computer. Any ideas?

P.S. I just waved a dead chicken (well, a rubber chicken - that's certainly not alive) over my computer while posting this message ;-)

• "Wave a dead chicken over it." Brian from Shawnee 04/August/05
• "Wave a dead chicken over it." ESC 04/August/05
  • "Wave a dead chicken over it." Mikko 04/August/05
    • "Wave a dead chicken over it." Smokey Stover 05/August/05
      • "Wave a dead chicken over it." Victoria S Dennis 05/August/05
        • "Wave a dead chicken over it." Mikko 05/August/05
        • "Wave a dead chicken over it." Bob 05/August/05
          • Voodoo is a Religion Bruce Kahl 05/August/05
            • Voodoo is a Religion Mikko 05/August/05
              • Burnt offerings R. Berg 06/August/05
                • Burnt offerings Victoria S Dennis 06/August/05