The phrase “let’s talk turkey” is a curious and rich expression in US English, having evolved significantly over time.
Originally, it conveyed ideas of fairness and straightforwardness, but it has since become synonymous with frank, serious or direct conversation.
The term’s journey from a quaint expression to an idiom with wide applicability reflects the adaptability of language and the cultural nuances that shape it.
The term is rooted in a folk tale involving a white man and a Native American, often named “Wampum”.
According to the tale, the two men hunted together and were left with a wild turkey and a crow as the day’s bounty.
The white man, trying to secure the better part, suggested dividing the spoils in a way that favoured himself: “You take the crow, and I’ll take the turkey”, or “I’ll take the turkey, and you take the crow”.
The Native American, recognising the unfairness of the proposal, responded: “You no talk turkey to me a bit,” implying that the white man was not speaking honestly or fairly.
Interestingly, the bird we call a “turkey” is native to North America, not Türkiye or India.
When Spanish explorers brought the bird back to Europe in the 16th century, English traders mistook it for a different bird that had been imported to Europe through the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Türkiye).
Because of the trade connection, English speakers started calling the New World bird a “turkey”.
In Türkiye, the bird is called “hindi”, derived from “Hindistan”, the Turkish word for India.
This is because, at the time, people mistakenly believed that the bird came from India.
Similar names can be found in other languages, such as “dinde” in French, which also points to India.
The reason the bird known as a “turkey” in English is called “hindi” in Türkiye is rooted in historical trade routes and mistaken geography.
Initially, “talking turkey” implied speaking truthfully or fairly, with an expectation of mutual respect and equity in communication.
The tale’s moral underscores the importance of honest dealings, a value central to the phrase’s early usage.
By the mid-19th century, the meaning of “talk turkey” began to shift. While early interpretations emphasised fairness and clear communication, later definitions introduced the notion of straightforward discussion.
The phrase evolved from simply being about honesty to encompassing the idea of getting to the significant part without unnecessary pleasantries.
Today, the phrase is commonly understood to mean engaging in serious, no-nonsense conversation.
“Let’s talk turkey” is a phrase that has traversed a rich linguistic journey from its origins in 19th-century America to its status as a widely recognised idiom.
“Its evolution mirrors changes in societal values and communication styles, from a focus on fairness and honesty to an emphasis on seriousness and directness.
“Whether used in business, negotiations or everyday conversations, “let’s talk turkey” continues to resonate as a call for honest, straightforward communication.
Let’s’ talk turkey and admit that America supports Israeli terror in Palestine. Let’s talk turkey!
* Halim Gençoğlu is a historian with PhD from UCT and is a post-doctoral fellow at Wits University.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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