newyork.localmean.com/chopped-liver
Chopped liver
CHOPT LIV-er
Local meaning
A seasoned spread traditionally made from chopped cooked liver, onions, fat, and often egg; the words also appear in a humorous expression about being ignored.
At New York Jewish delis, chopped liver may be served on rye, as a sandwich, by weight, or as an appetizer. The expression What am I, chopped liver? means the speaker feels overlooked compared with something or someone receiving more attention.
Example in context
- “He ordered chopped liver on rye with a pickle.”
How it is used
An Ashkenazi Jewish food and widely recognized American idiom with strong New York deli associations.
neutral as food; comic or wounded as idiom
delis, holiday meals, sandwiches, humorous complaints
An Ashkenazi Jewish food and widely recognized American idiom with strong New York deli associations.
The food is rich and recipes vary; the idiom can sound theatrical or dated depending on the speaker.
Spelling and scope
An Ashkenazi Jewish food and widely recognized American idiom with strong New York deli associations.
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chopped liver meaning foodJewish deli chopped liverwhat am I chopped liver phrase
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Frequently asked questions
What does What am I, chopped liver? mean?
It humorously asks why the speaker is being ignored or treated as less important.
Is chopped liver always made from chicken liver?
Chicken liver is common, but recipes and commercial products can vary.
Read next
All words →Evidence and further reading
These sources support the regional association, dictionary sense, or broader spread. The entry remains open to correction from New York speakers and qualified reviewers.
- Chopped LiverKatz’s Delicatessen
Ingredient and preparation context for a traditional New York deli-style chopped-liver spread.
- Katz’s Delicatessen MenuKatz’s Delicatessen
Current New York deli menu context for matzo ball soup, chopped liver, whitefish salad, knishes, pastrami, and related counter foods.