lottery

The hypothetical lottery that assigns inherited traits to people. Highlights the unpredictability that is inherent in genetics. I feel like I won the genetic lottery because I inherited my dad's baseball prowess and turned it into a pro career. Is it any wonder the child is an incredible swimmer? With two Olympic gold medalists for parents, she hit the genetic lottery! Yeah, colon cancer and heart disease both run in my family, so I can't say I hit the genetic lottery!

offensive slang The monetary compensation that one receives due to a crime that has been committed against them or a family member. The phrase is often used to denigrate poor people, especially poor Black people. A: "She's must be thrilled—she's won the ghetto lottery." B: "Are you kidding me? Not only is her husband dead, but she witnessed it. No amount of money can bring him back or heal her pain."