The Turkey's Presence in Language and Culture
The term 'turkey' holds varied associations in the English language. Idiomatic expressions include 'talking turkey,' which denotes direct conversation, and 'going cold turkey,' referring to a sudden cessation of an activity. The word is also used pejoratively to describe failures or unsuccessful individuals. Conversely, the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) maintains substantial culinary significance, particularly during Thanksgiving. Projections from the National Turkey Federation indicate an estimated 30 million turkeys will be consumed on Thanksgiving Day. This bird has been a consistent feature of holiday meals since its introduction to Europe by early colonists.
Origins of the Name
The precise historical and etymological origins of the turkey's name are subjects of ongoing discussion. The species, Meleagris gallopavo, was domesticated in the Americas, specifically within areas corresponding to modern-day Mexico and the U.S. Southwest, prior to European colonization. Documentation regarding the exact timeline of its domestication and its subsequent transport to Europe by explorers is incomplete. By the 1520s, turkeys were being raised in Spain and consumed by the upper classes, with their cultivation spreading across Europe in the ensuing decades.
According to lexicographer Erin McKean, the American bird acquired its name through a case of mistaken identity. Europeans had previously applied the name 'turkey' to the African guinea fowl, another game bird with similar appearance and culinary utility. Consequently, Meleagris gallopavo was also referred to as 'turkey.' American turkeys eventually became more popular than their African counterparts. Historical records from 1550s Venice demonstrate that turkey consumption was subject to sumptuary laws, limiting access to certain social strata.
The initial reason for applying the term 'turkey' to guinea fowl is not conclusively established. Historian Andrew F. Smith suggests that Europeans frequently affixed 'turkey' to various foreign imports, such as 'turkey corn.' McKean proposes the name may have arisen from guinea fowl being traded into Europe via the Turkish region. However, this etymology is not universally accepted. Linguist Anatoly Liberman posits that linking the bird's name to the country of Turkey is inaccurate, stating that Europeans often attributed diverse foreign origins to the bird due to a lack of precise knowledge. Liberman notes that the etymology of numerous bird names is complex, often resulting from speculation or linguistic confusion.
Return to the Americas and Thanksgiving Tradition
Turkeys became a notable element of English celebrations, including Christmas. In the early 17th century, English colonists subsequently brought domesticated turkeys to North American settlements like Jamestown. Over the subsequent two centuries, colonial thanksgiving observances for harvests and military victories developed into an established tradition. By 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln officially declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, the turkey had become a customary component of these meals. The turkey has since maintained its role in Thanksgiving traditions and its presence in English colloquialisms.
Evolution of Turkey-Related Idioms
The meanings of idioms involving the word 'turkey' have evolved over time. According to Dave Wilton of WordOrigins.org, in the late 19th century, 'cold turkey' originally signified something executed quickly, referencing the minimal preparation required for cold turkey meat. Its later association with the sudden cessation of an addiction developed subsequently. The phrase 'talking turkey' transitioned from denoting 'social' or 'agreeable' communication in the early 19th century to signifying plain and frank discussion by the early 20th century. The use of 'turkey' as an insult originated from late 19th-century theatrical slang, where 'turkey actors' referred to performers of inferior skill. This term later extended to describe unsuccessful theatrical or film productions.