Why Is Our Thanksgiving Bird Called a Turkey?

[Zeno Swijtink]

Why Is Our Thanksgiving Bird Called a Turkey?
LARRY E. TISE, Historian - East Carolina University

How the American bird we know as turkey got the moniker "turkey" and not _huexoloti_ (Aztec) or _guajolote_ (Mexican)-authentic early American names for American turkeys-has much to do with the fact that Turkey was the center of the world at the time Christian Europeans began taking a few baby steps toward finding an alternative route to India. [snip]

When corn, tobacco sprouts, and, of course, our _huexoloti_ arrived in the heart of the thriving and vibrant Ottoman Empire-seated in what we now know as Turkey-they came into the hands of probably the most advanced farmers and husbandmen in the world. Turkish farmers had previously seen the nearest cousins of the _huexoloti_ from Asia (pheasants) and from Africa (Guinea fowl). But these birds were skinny runts compared to the majestic _huexoloti_. Making use of sophisticated growing and seeding techniques, savvy Turkish farmers within a few short years had produced surplus quantities of corn and tobacco-enough to export to other parts of the world. And with smart breeding and feeding practices they also grew vast flocks of big breasted _huexoloti_.

Within the space of just twenty years or so from the time these New World crops and creatures had arrived in Spain and had made their way to the Middle East, Turkish merchants were selling these products in Eastern Europe. During the 1540s corn, tobacco, and, yes, our _huexoloti_ arrived in England. The first mention of the exotic big birds in England was in 1541. These crops and the large winged creature were embraced, at first, as novelty foods among the English upper crust-faddish items to be consumed or enjoyed in posh castles. But by 1577 what was once nouveau had become one of food staples for all English souls. By that time the _huexoloti_ had become the principal food bird in the entire realm-surpassing chickens and other fowl.

And, at this point in the story, it will probably not come as a surprise that these crops and creatures originally brought forth from the New World had acquired interesting new names. Corn when it arrived in England came as Turkish maize. Tobacco arrived at the same time already known-as it still is today--as Turkish tobacco. And the good old _huexoloti_ had lost all association with the world encountered by Spanish explorers. The larger and more robust bird produced by Turkish husbandmen would forever be known in English simply as the turkey.

[Sciguy]

Thanks for the explanation Zeno. To round out the discussion, may I point out that in the country of Turkey, turkeys are not called anything like turkey. They are called Hindi Kushu or Indian bird, meaning bird from India, probably a corruption of bird from "Indians" in America extending the corruption of the name Indians applied to our native peoples. So Turks may have the most accurate name, though still imperfect.
Paul Palmer

Why Is Our Thanksgiving Bird Called a Turkey?
LARRY E. TISE, Historian - East Carolina University

How the American bird we know as turkey got the moniker "turkey" and not _huexoloti_ (Aztec) or _guajolote_ (Mexican)-authentic early American names for American turkeys-has much to do with the fact that Turkey was the center of the world at the time Christian Europeans began taking a few baby steps toward finding an alternative route to India. [snip]

When corn, tobacco sprouts, and, of course, our _huexoloti_ arrived in the heart of the thriving and vibrant Ottoman Empire-seated in what we now know as Turkey-they came into the hands of probably the most advanced farmers and husbandmen in the world. Turkish farmers had previously seen the nearest cousins of the _huexoloti_ from Asia (pheasants) and from Africa (Guinea fowl). But these birds were skinny runts compared to the majestic _huexoloti_. Making use of sophisticated growing and seeding techniques, savvy Turkish farmers within a few short years had produced surplus quantities of corn and tobacco-enough to export to other parts of the world. And with smart breeding and feeding practices they also grew vast flocks of big breasted _huexoloti_.

Within the space of just twenty years or so from the time these New World crops and creatures had arrived in Spain and had made their way to the Middle East, Turkish merchants were selling these products in Eastern Europe. During the 1540s corn, tobacco, and, yes, our _huexoloti_ arrived in England. The first mention of the exotic big birds in England was in 1541. These crops and the large winged creature were embraced, at first, as novelty foods among the English upper crust-faddish items to be consumed or enjoyed in posh castles. But by 1577 what was once nouveau had become one of food staples for all English souls. By that time the _huexoloti_ had become the principal food bird in the entire realm-surpassing chickens and other fowl.

And, at this point in the story, it will probably not come as a surprise that these crops and creatures originally brought forth from the New World had acquired interesting new names. Corn when it arrived in England came as Turkish maize. Tobacco arrived at the same time already known-as it still is today--as Turkish tobacco. And the good old _huexoloti_ had lost all association with the world encountered by Spanish explorers. The larger and more robust bird produced by Turkish husbandmen would forever be known in English simply as the turkey.