'Let's talk turkey'

You have probably heard someone say to you:

"Let's talk turkey!"

You have probably said to someone:

"Let's talk turkey!"

While "Let's talk turkey" is a common expression, few people know the origin of it.

"Let's talk turkey" means "Let' have a serious conversation." When someone wants to talk turkey, he wants to put all joking aside and get down to business. He wants your undivided attention about something important to him.

According to legend, the expression "Let's talk turkey" involves a story about a settler and a Native American.

Way back when a settler and a Native American went hunting for birds, they caught an equal number of turkeys and buzzards. When the pilgrim divided the game, he took the two turkeys, leaving the buzzards for his companion. Justifiably annoyed, the Native American responded, "Stop talking birds, let's talk turkey."

Whether this story is true or not, we still use the expression to mean let's dispense with the nonsense and talk about what's important.

Let's talk turkey!