General
what a deal
What does what a deal mean?
Occasionally used sincerely for a genuinely good break, though the sarcastic sense dominated.
"Free passes for the whole crew? Now what a deal."
Origin
U.S. military slang of the 1940s, a sardonic WWII catchphrase grumbled by GIs about raw deals and unfair assignments. The bitter irony was the whole point.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'what a deal' mean as slang?
It's a sarcastic groan about a rotten or unfair situation — the opposite of a good deal.
Where did 'what a deal' come from?
From 1940s U.S. soldiers, who used it ironically about bad assignments and raw luck during WWII.
Was it ever used sincerely?
Rarely — the term was overwhelmingly sarcastic, though it could occasionally mark a genuine windfall.
Is it still heard today?
Echoes survive in sarcastic speech, but the distinct GI usage is a period flavor now.
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