Gobbling Up History: The Surprising Tale of the Thanksgiving Turkey’s Name and Its Hollywood Flops

This Thanksgiving, many will opt for the familiar term “Turkey Day,” overshadowing the more formal “Meleagris Gallopavo Day.” The term “turkey” encapsulates not only the bird but also references to a country and even movie failures. This linguistic versatility is part of a rich history tied to the origins of the turkey itself.

The domestication of the North American turkey can be traced back approximately 2,000 years to Mexico. Spanish explorers encountered the bird around 1500 and returned it to Europe, where it quickly found its way onto the tables of the wealthy.

Initially, Europeans were puzzled about what to call this newfound poultry. In Spain, turkeys were dubbed “pavos,” reminiscent of peacocks. The French labeled them “poules d’Indes,” or Indian chickens, which was eventually shortened to “dinde.” But the English perspective was influenced by the guineafowl, an African bird brought to Europe by Turkish traders in the 14th century.

The term “turkey” emerged during the height of the Ottoman Empire, when everything from the East was often deemed ‘Turkish’ by Europeans. Due to their trade dominance in the Mediterranean, many commodities were associated with Turkey—including the introduction of guineafowl—and thus the bird became known as “turkey.”

Historically, turkeys have been celebrated in various feasts. The term first appeared in print in 1555 during a lavish banquet featuring an extensive menu, including “Turkies” listed among a myriad of extravagant dishes. However, it was the 1621 feast at Plymouth Plantation, shared by Pilgrims and Native Americans, that solidified turkey’s place in American holiday traditions. Despite the diverse food offerings, Governor William Bradford notably highlighted the abundance of “wild Turkies.”

The association of turkey with harvest celebrations resulted in the term “Turkey Day” being used since at least the 1870s. The word itself has evolved, adopting numerous meanings over time. In 1839, the “turkey-trot” became popular due to its jerky movements, further illustrating the bird’s influence on culture.

By the 1920s, the phrase “cold turkey” emerged in the context of opiate withdrawal, a contrast to its earlier meanings tied to celebration. Meanwhile, turkeys were colloquially linked to mediocrity in entertainment, referring to poorly received shows as “turkeys” in the 1920s, a usage that still resonates today.

The term transitioned into a more derogatory context in the 1950s, labeling someone as a “turkey” to denote ineptitude. This shift likely paved the way for the term “jive turkey,” denoting insincerity within African American vernacular during the 1970s.

“Talk turkey” can yield conflicting interpretations. An 1859 dictionary describes it as discussing frivolous topics, while later interpretations associated it with straightforward communication. A popular anecdote suggests the phrase arose from an encounter between a European hunter and a Native American, though the true origin remains uncertain.

Regardless, “talking turkey” signifies the honest dealings that are integral to Thanksgiving conversations. This rich tapestry of language and culture underscores the turkey’s significance as more than just a meal on our holiday tables.