turkey
turkey
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "turkey" is /ˈtɜːr.ki/ (American English) or /ˈtɜː.ki/ (British English).
For /ˈtɜːr.ki/:
/ˈtɜːr/
/ki/
Word Form Variations
Noun: turkey (singular), turkeys (plural)
Adjective: turkey (used attributively, e.g., "turkey meat," "turkey farm") - no comparative/superlative forms.
Verb: (No direct verb form in common use for the bird or country. "To turkey trot" is a specific dance verb. "To cold turkey" is an informal verb phrase from the idiom).
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A large North American bird (Meleagris gallopavo) that has a long, fleshy growth hanging from the head and chin, and is widely domesticated for food. It is traditionally associated with Thanksgiving and Christmas meals in Western cultures.
Synonyms: fowl, poultry, game bird (if wild)
Antonyms: (No direct antonym; refers to a specific bird/food)
Definition 2: (Informal) Something that is a complete failure; a flop.
Synonyms: flop, disaster, failure, dud, mess, fiasco
Antonyms: success, triumph, hit, masterpiece, winner
Definition 3: (Often capitalized 'Turkey') The country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, officially the Republic of Türkiye.
Synonyms: Türkiye, Anatolia (historical region)
Antonyms: (No direct antonym, refers to a specific country)
Definition 4: (Informal) A score of three consecutive strikes in bowling.
Synonyms: three-bagger, hat-trick (by analogy in other sports)
Antonyms: spare, open frame (in bowling)
Adjective
Definition 1: Made from or consisting of the meat of a turkey. (Used attributively)
Synonyms: poultry, fowl (attributive)
Antonyms: beef, chicken, pork (as other meats)
Definition 2: Of or relating to the country Turkey. (Used attributively)
Synonyms: Turkish (more common adjective form), Anatolian
Antonyms: (No direct antonym)
Examples of Use
Books:
"The family gathered around the table, a perfectly roasted golden-brown turkey at its center, steam rising invitingly." (Fictional example from a holiday-themed novel or family saga)
"The book details the diplomatic history between the Ottoman Empire and European powers, highlighting the pivotal role of Turkey in regional affairs." (From a non-fiction book on history or international relations)
"Despite months of effort, the new product launch turned out to be a complete turkey, failing to attract any customers." (Fictional example, informal use, from a business novel)
Newspapers:
"Local farmers are preparing for a surge in demand for turkeys as the festive season approaches." ("The Standard,")
"President Erdoğan of Turkey held bilateral talks with African leaders on trade and security cooperation." ("Daily Nation,")
"Film critics declared the highly anticipated blockbuster to be a cinematic turkey, despite its star-studded cast." ("The New York Times,")
Online Publications:
"Our ultimate guide to roasting a perfect Thanksgiving turkey: Tips for juicy meat and crispy skin." (An article on a cooking blog, e.g., Allrecipes.com)
"Explore the best historical sites in Turkey: A travel guide to Istanbul and Cappadocia." (An article on a travel website, e.g., Lonely Planet Online)
"Is your startup a turkey in the making? Signs that your business idea might fail." (An article on an entrepreneurship blog, e.g., Forbes.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I like to move it, move it, you like to move it, move it... I like to eat it, eat it, eat it." (From Madagascar, 2005) - This relates to the various animals in the film, including potential prey like a wild turkey.
Television Series: "For your next challenge, you must prepare a gourmet meal featuring turkey as the main ingredient." (Instructions on a cooking competition show, e.g., MasterChef)
Song Lyrics: "I'm going cold turkey, baby, cutting you out of my life." (From a pop or rock song about abruptly quitting an addiction or relationship)
Video Games: "Your character must hunt a wild turkey to gather food for your camp." (In-game objective in a survival or RPG, e.g., Red Dead Redemption 2)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we delve into the geopolitical significance of Turkey in NATO and the Middle East." (A podcast on international relations or history, e.g., Council on Foreign Relations)
General Public Discourse:
"What kind of turkey are we getting for Christmas dinner?" (A common question during holiday planning)
"That new movie was a complete turkey; I walked out halfway through!" (An informal expression of disappointment)
"Are you going to Turkey for your next vacation?" (A common question about travel plans)
"I'm going cold turkey on sugar starting today." (A common phrase about quitting an addiction abruptly)
"He bowled a turkey in the last frame, winning the game!" (A statement about a bowling score)
"I prefer turkey bacon to pork bacon." (A statement about food preference)
10 Quotes Using Turkey
"I'm going cold turkey." (Common idiom for abruptly quitting an addiction, widely used)
"That movie was a real turkey." (Common informal phrase for a complete failure or flop in entertainment)
"You can't have Thanksgiving without a turkey." (Common cultural statement, widely associated with the holiday)
"If God did not intend for us to eat animals, then why did he make them out of meat?" (John Cleese) - This humorous quote is often used in discussions about eating turkey and other meats.
"A man has but one life. I want to live it to the full, and I want to enjoy it." (Lesser-known, but common sentiment) - This implicitly speaks to enjoying life's simple pleasures, perhaps including a turkey dinner.
"He just ate too much turkey." (Common humorous excuse for post-Thanksgiving laziness or sleepiness)
"My old boss was a real turkey." (Lesser-known, informal derogatory use for an unpleasant person)
"The best kind of turkey is free-range." (Common statement in food and health discussions)
"This year's budget proposal is a turkey; it won't pass." (Original quote, using "turkey" for a complete failure)
"Are you getting a big turkey for Christmas?" (Common festive question in many households)
Etymology
The word "turkey" has a fascinating and somewhat confusing etymology, mostly because the bird isn't originally from the country it's named after!
It comes from the country Turkey (now officially called Türkiye).
Here's how that happened:
When the North American bird (the wild turkey) was first introduced to Europe in the 16th century, it often arrived via merchants who were trading in the Ottoman Empire, which was largely located in what is now modern-day Turkey.
At the time, another type of bird, the guinea fowl (which was imported through Turkey), was sometimes called a "turkey-cock" or "turkey-hen" by Europeans because of its origin.
When the new North American bird arrived, it was confused with or associated with the guinea fowl because both were exotic birds imported through similar trade routes.
So, the word "turkey" was first used in English around the early 16th century (specifically in 1541), and it initially referred to the guinea fowl (which came from Turkish merchants).
However, by the mid-16th century (around 1550s), the name transferred to the North American bird that we know as the "turkey" today. The bird itself doesn't come from Turkey, but its name in English does, due to a historical trading mix-up!
The informal meaning of "a failure" or "a flop" developed much later, in the early 20th century (around 1907), possibly from theatrical slang.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Turkey
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "turkey":
To go cold turkey: To abruptly and completely stop an addictive habit without tapering off.
A raw deal: An unfair or harsh treatment. (Synonymous with something being a "turkey" in a sense of bad outcome).
To talk turkey: To discuss something seriously and directly; to get down to business.
Butterball turkey: A specific brand of turkey, often used generically for a plump, well-prepared bird.
Turkey Trot: A specific type of dance; also, a Thanksgiving Day footrace.
A cinematic turkey: A film that is a complete failure or flop.
Stuffed turkey: A common dish, especially for holiday meals, where the turkey cavity is filled with stuffing.
Happy as a clam: Very happy and content. (Synonymous with "happy as a Thanksgiving turkey," if it were a phrase, implying contentment before being eaten).
Wild turkey: A non-domesticated turkey; also, a brand of bourbon.
To be plucked like a turkey: To be cheated or swindled out of all one's money.
The main course: The primary dish of a meal. (Synonymous with the "turkey" at a holiday feast).
The whole shebang: The entire thing; everything. (Synonymous with "the whole turkey," meaning the entire package).
A gobbler: (Informal) A male turkey.
To be full of hot air: To talk boastfully without substance. (Can be associated with a puffed-up "turkey" display).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of turkey from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
