Where did the saying 'as cheap as chips' come from?

The phrase "as cheap as chips" originates from the UK, where "chips" refers to what Americans call French fries. The expression likely gained popularity in the mid-20th century, reflecting the low cost of chips in pubs and fish-and-chip shops. It underscores the idea that something is very inexpensive, similar to how chips were often seen as a budget-friendly food option. The phrase has since entered common usage to describe anything that is considered very cheap.