The turkey has long graced American Thanksgiving tables, despite the fact that geese and ducks were probably the main course at the 1621 feast that has come to be known as the first Thanksgiving (however unwillingly) Because of the strong association and historically utilitarian choice, “Turkey Day” has been used as an informal name for the holiday since at least 1863, the year President Lincoln officially declared it to be observed.
Rumor has it Ben Franklin even wanted it to be the national bird. However, the word “turkey” conjures up images of far-off, ancient places more like Mount Ararat, Istanbul, or Anatolia than Jamestown, Plymouth Rock, or New Amsterdam. Whats such a New World bird doing with such an Old World name?.
The English gave the Turks credit for any number of new imports in the 16th century. Even pumpkins were known as “Turkish cucumbers. “.
“Turkey” – a word that conjures up images of roasted birds, Thanksgiving feasts, and perhaps even a bit of confusion. Why is this country named after a bird, and how did this peculiar connection come to be? Buckle up, history buffs, because we’re about to embark on a fascinating journey through time and language to uncover the origins of this intriguing name.
From “T√ºrk” to “Turkey”: A Linguistic Adventure
The story begins with the word “T√ºrk,” an autonym used by Turkic people for centuries. This term, first recorded in the 6th century, referred to the G√∂kt√ºrks, a nomadic group who played a significant role in shaping Eurasian history.
As the Turkic people migrated and interacted with other cultures, the word “T√ºrk” evolved and transformed. In Medieval Latin, it became “Turchia” or “Turquia,” eventually finding its way into Middle English as “Turkye” and later “Turkey.”
The Bird and the Name: A Curious Connection
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – the bird. The guinea fowl, native to Africa, was introduced to Europe by Turkish merchants in the 16th century. Due to its association with the Turks, Europeans began calling it the “turkey-cock” or “turkey-hen.”
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, European settlers in the New World encountered a different bird, the wild turkey. Strikingly similar in appearance to the guinea fowl, they naturally adopted the name “turkey” for this new avian discovery.
A Name Change: From “Turkey” to “T√ºrkiye”
In 2021, Turkey officially changed its name to “T√ºrkiye,” aiming to better reflect the country’s culture, civilization, and values. This change also aimed to avoid the negative connotations associated with the bird in the English language.
A Legacy of Language and History
The name “Turkey” serves as a fascinating reminder of the interconnectedness of language, history, and culture. It’s a testament to the journeys of words, the influences of different civilizations, and the curious ways in which names can evolve over time.
So, the next time you hear the word “Turkey,” remember that it’s not just a name for a country or a bird. It’s a story waiting to be told, a tale of linguistic evolution and cultural exchange that spans centuries and continents.
Why Turkeys Are Named After Turkey
When the Spanish arrived in Mexico in the 16th century they encountered the already-domesticated common turkey, Meleagris gallopavo. They apparently liked the bird; turkeys were among the plunder they took back to Spain around 1519. By 1541, the birds had arrived in England. In those days the Turkish Ottoman Empire was at its peak, and the English had Turkey (with a capital T) on their mind. The English gave the Turks credit for any number of new imports: maize was Turkish wheat, and pumpkins were Turkish cucumbers—though both were actually New World plants. To paraphrase Cindy Ott in her 2012 book Pumpkin: The Curious History of an American Icon, if it was exotic, chances are it got a Turkish appellation. So the new bird was soon being called a turkey-cock, a name eventually shortened to turkey.
Why is a turkey called a turkey?
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