The original quote was “The nice guys are all over there, in seventh place.” (1946 July 6), about the 1946 New York Giants — seventh place was next-to-last place in the National League. This was shortly afterwards rendered as “'Nice Guys' Wind Up in Last Place, Scoffs Lippy”, hence giving the present form.

The phrase “nice guys finish last” is often used to describe the fact that women seemingly say they go for “nice guys” but actually go for jerks. However, Dr. Robert Glover looks at this phrase in a different way, showing that so-called “Nice Guys” are often not-so-nice at all.

In American culture nice people finish last because they're meek. They don't make themselves stand out so they go unnoticed and unappreciated. To finish first you have to make yourself known. Acts of kindness are expected and thus taken for granted.

When used positively, and particularly when used as a preference or description by someone else, it is intended to imply a man who puts the needs of others before his own, avoids confrontations, does favors, provides emotional support, tries to stay out of trouble, and generally acts nicely towards others.