My Dad and I always had martinis with olives together over Sunday dinner. When he passed I started using just two olives in my own martinis as a tribute to our martini dinners and my departed drinking partner. I decided bad luck be damned, I was already drinking alone.
I’d also conjecture that three olives—and often gigantic ones at that—became common in Martinis because one olive at the bottom of a 8–10 oz V-shaped glass is no longer visible, due to the curvature of the earth. I love olives, but I’d rather have a half dozen on a side plate and zero in my drink.
I have so many friends who have given up drinking that there would rarely be a toast if we didn't include those drinking water or alcohol-free. Damn the bad luck. We toast for the joy and cheer of the moment.
I had heard or read that in certain gentleman's clubs, iykyk, the One or Three olives meant everything was good, and that Two meant that the police were listening in. I wish I could find the reference.
Loved the TGIFriday’s article. I always associated it with Bennigan’s - just a place for better than average potato skins - had no idea about its fascinating history!
First of all, thank you so much for mentioning Schustack! But also, a few years ago, I learned the evens bad luck rule from someone I was dating. It’s not just for Martinis. Cherries in Manhattans, onions in Gibsons, raspberries in Clover Clubs, etc. The only exception is if it’s 2 things, but not the SAME thing, such as an orange twist and a cherry or an olive and a pearl onion, etc. As Lynn says, the rule applies to anything served in a restaurant in multiples.
I'm a Gibson Girl, but I agree on the toasting - NO water. My Polish friend told me years ago it would bring 7 years bad luck in the "bedroom department" - so naturally I have been diligent on that front.
I don’t know why it’s 1 or 3 olives, but I did hear that as one of the Gibson origin stories involving the Gibson sisters didn’t like olives so used pickled onions instead and because they were twins, 2 onions were used.
As memory serves, I read this in a column by Earl Wilson 40 plus years ago. Jackie Gleason loved his martinis, and he drank quite a few at Toots Shor’s restaurant. Toots said Jackie wanted the martini dry-just wave the vermouth cap over the gin-and he wanted four olives, so he could eat when he drank! When I began drinking martinis, I always had four olives. I’ve pared that to two olives, didn’t know I was courting disaster.
It's visually pleasing! When I worked in landscape design odd numbers were always considered more esthetic in plant placement. 3 olives will always be my preference a martini.
So fun—I can’t wait till you start getting all the emails from Three Olives Vodka!! Score! 🫒🫒🫒
The big question is, how many olives were on the toothpick that killed Sherwood Anderson?
My Dad and I always had martinis with olives together over Sunday dinner. When he passed I started using just two olives in my own martinis as a tribute to our martini dinners and my departed drinking partner. I decided bad luck be damned, I was already drinking alone.
I’d also conjecture that three olives—and often gigantic ones at that—became common in Martinis because one olive at the bottom of a 8–10 oz V-shaped glass is no longer visible, due to the curvature of the earth. I love olives, but I’d rather have a half dozen on a side plate and zero in my drink.
I have so many friends who have given up drinking that there would rarely be a toast if we didn't include those drinking water or alcohol-free. Damn the bad luck. We toast for the joy and cheer of the moment.
Oooohhhh
😏
I used to have 6 !?
I had heard or read that in certain gentleman's clubs, iykyk, the One or Three olives meant everything was good, and that Two meant that the police were listening in. I wish I could find the reference.
Best line!!! “It's not true,” he said, “but I believe it... as we say in Naples.”
Loved the TGIFriday’s article. I always associated it with Bennigan’s - just a place for better than average potato skins - had no idea about its fascinating history!
First of all, thank you so much for mentioning Schustack! But also, a few years ago, I learned the evens bad luck rule from someone I was dating. It’s not just for Martinis. Cherries in Manhattans, onions in Gibsons, raspberries in Clover Clubs, etc. The only exception is if it’s 2 things, but not the SAME thing, such as an orange twist and a cherry or an olive and a pearl onion, etc. As Lynn says, the rule applies to anything served in a restaurant in multiples.
I'm a Gibson Girl, but I agree on the toasting - NO water. My Polish friend told me years ago it would bring 7 years bad luck in the "bedroom department" - so naturally I have been diligent on that front.
I have TRIED to tell people this is a thing and very few know the story. I'm sharing this!!! Thank you for writing.
I don’t know why it’s 1 or 3 olives, but I did hear that as one of the Gibson origin stories involving the Gibson sisters didn’t like olives so used pickled onions instead and because they were twins, 2 onions were used.
As memory serves, I read this in a column by Earl Wilson 40 plus years ago. Jackie Gleason loved his martinis, and he drank quite a few at Toots Shor’s restaurant. Toots said Jackie wanted the martini dry-just wave the vermouth cap over the gin-and he wanted four olives, so he could eat when he drank! When I began drinking martinis, I always had four olives. I’ve pared that to two olives, didn’t know I was courting disaster.
It's visually pleasing! When I worked in landscape design odd numbers were always considered more esthetic in plant placement. 3 olives will always be my preference a martini.
Belief always trumps truth in cocktails!