So in reference to my previous post, I did some digging. It appears that the phrase "cold turkey" has a couple theories for its origin.
The most likely seems to be that in the 19th century, people in the United States used the phrase "talk turkey" when they'd speak of an unpleasant topic in a blunt and direct manner, which over time evolved into the more common definition of ending an unpleasant habit abruptly and entirely.
However, there is also reference to drug addicts and the fact that when they abruptly quit their habit, they break out in cold sweats and have goose bumps. One would think, then, that it'd be called going "cold goose" instead of "cold turkey".
...I'm sticking to theory number 1.
The most likely seems to be that in the 19th century, people in the United States used the phrase "talk turkey" when they'd speak of an unpleasant topic in a blunt and direct manner, which over time evolved into the more common definition of ending an unpleasant habit abruptly and entirely.
However, there is also reference to drug addicts and the fact that when they abruptly quit their habit, they break out in cold sweats and have goose bumps. One would think, then, that it'd be called going "cold goose" instead of "cold turkey".
...I'm sticking to theory number 1.
No comments:
Post a Comment