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.
Great detail. Gleason was indeed a regular at Toots Shor's and drank prodigiously. Toots once challenged Gleason to a drinking contest. Toots one. Gleason passed out on the floor. Toots instructed that no one move him. The staff had to step over Gleason the entire night.
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?
Poor Sherwood. He loved his Martinis too well.
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.
Very understandable. And an elegant tribute to your father.
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.
Good theory.
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 !?
That is a lot!
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.
What a great code system!
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!
I worked at a Bennigan's for a few months. What a horrifying experience.
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.
My pleasure!
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.
Spread the word!
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.
There are many origin stories of the Gibson cocktail!
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.
Great detail. Gleason was indeed a regular at Toots Shor's and drank prodigiously. Toots once challenged Gleason to a drinking contest. Toots one. Gleason passed out on the floor. Toots instructed that no one move him. The staff had to step over Gleason the entire night.
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!
Yes, unfortunately.