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Hooters Restaurants Trace Name to Steve Martin Joke
The popular restaurant chain's name was inspired by a 1980 SNL skit, according to the company.
Published on Feb. 21, 2026
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The first Hooters restaurant opened in Clearwater, Florida, in 1983, founded by six friends with no prior restaurant experience. While the name is a reference to breasts, not owls, the origins of the term "hooters" as slang for breasts predates the restaurant by over a decade. However, the Hooters Facebook page has credited a 1980 Saturday Night Live monologue by comedian Steve Martin as the specific inspiration for the restaurant's name.
Why it matters
The origins of the Hooters restaurant name have long been a source of curiosity, as the term "hooters" is considered by some to be a derogatory slang term for women's breasts. The company's acknowledgment of the Steve Martin influence sheds light on how the controversial name came to be.
The details
In his 1980 SNL monologue, Steve Martin performed a bit called "What I Believe" where he said "I believe it's derogatory to refer to a woman's breasts as 'boobs,' 'jugs,' 'winnebagos,' or 'golden bozos,' and you should only refer to them as 'hooters.'" This bit was later released on Martin's 1981 stand-up album "The Steve Martin Brothers." While "hooters" as slang for breasts predates this by over a decade, the Hooters restaurant chain has credited Martin's SNL skit as the specific inspiration for their name.
- The first Hooters restaurant opened on October 4, 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.
- Steve Martin's "What I Believe" skit aired on Saturday Night Live on May 17, 1980.
- Steve Martin's "What I Believe" bit was released on his 1981 album "The Steve Martin Brothers."
The players
Hooters
A restaurant chain known for its casual dining experience and waitstaff wearing revealing uniforms.
Steve Martin
A popular American comedian, actor, writer, and musician who hosted Saturday Night Live in 1980 and later released the "What I Believe" bit on his 1981 album.
What they’re saying
“I believe it's derogatory to refer to a woman's breasts as 'boobs,' 'jugs,' 'winnebagos,' or 'golden bozos,' and you should only refer to them as 'hooters.'”
— Steve Martin, Comedian (Saturday Night Live)
The takeaway
The Hooters restaurant chain's controversial name can be traced back to a specific Steve Martin comedy bit from 1980, shedding light on the origins of the brand's identity and the cultural attitudes it reflects.
