Let's Talk Turkey

It's Thanksgiving time and maybe we all need to understand a little more about what we celebrate. I feel a bit confused recently as it seems that the definition has possibly changed over the years. I always thought Thanksgiving was simply about THANKS. Thankfulness for what we had been prospered with throughout the year. We all got together and had a big meal (the pilgrims and the Indians that is.......hope I didn't offend any of the pilgrims by mentioning their name). They would share a meal and share some of their blessings with each other and even talk about how thankful they were at what God had blessed them with......or Gave them.

Flash forward a few hundred years and we have made Thanksgiving the starting line for shopping for Christmas. Run, Run, Run. Some of us get an early start or even plan this event with great strategic effort. They map out their agenda with certain maps and coupons from the newspaper circling and marking them up like some sort of play book.

Speaking of play book, some of us equate Thanksgiving Day as a great day of football! Some go out and actually play football in the yard. That sounds like fun. Others just watch it on televison. Or maybe you are like me and eat a big meal and then sit down on the sofa and fall asleep. The curse of the tryptophan.

So since I am so confused, I decided to see what the dictionary had to say about certain key items of this day. This should clear it up.

Let's start with TURKEY

Tur·key   (tûrk)A country of southwest Asia and southeast Europe between the Mediterranean and the Black seas. The region was dominated by many ancient civilizations and peoples, among them the Hittites (1800 b.c.), the Greeks (8th century b.c.), and the Persians (6th century b.c.), and in a.d. 395 it became part of the Byzantine Empire. The area was conquered by the Ottoman Turks between the 13th and 15th centuries and remained the core of the Ottoman Empire for more than 600 years. Its modern history dates to the rise of the Young Turks (after 1908) and the collapse of the empire in 1918. Under the leadership of Kemal Atatürk, a republic was proclaimed in 1923. Ankara is the capital and Istanbul the largest city. Population: 71,200,000.

tur·key   (tûrk)n. pl. tur·keys

1.a. A large North American bird (Meleagris gallopavo) that has brownish plumage and a bare wattled head and neck and is widely domesticated for food.b. A related bird (Agriocharis ocellata) of Mexico and Central America, brilliantly colored and having eyelike spots on its tail.

2. Slang

a. A person considered inept or undesirable.

b. A failure, especially a failed theatrical production or movie.

3. Sports 

Three consecutive strikes in bowling.

Idiom: talk turkey Informal 

To speak frankly and get down to the basic facts of a matter.

[After Turkey from a confusion with the guinea fowl, once believed to have originated in Turkish territory.]

Hummmmm, well maybe Cranberries?

The Cranberries are an Irish rock band who formed in Limerick in 1989. The band consists of vocalist Dolores O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler. Although widely associated with alternative rock, the band's sound also incorporates indie pop, post-punk, Irish folk and pop rock elements.[1]

cran·ber·ry   (krnbr)n.

1. A mat-forming, evergreen shrub (Vaccinium macrocarpum) of eastern North America, having pink flowers and tart, red, edible berries.

2. The berries of this plant, used in sauces, jellies, relishes, and beverages.

3. Any of several similar or related plants, especially Vaccinium oxycoccos.

[Partial translation of Low German Kraanbere : Kraan, crane (from Middle Low German kran; see ger-2 in Indo-European roots) + bere, berry.]

Hummm, maybe Stuffing?

stuff•ing (ˈstʌf ɪŋ)

1. the act of a person or thing that stuffs.

2. a material or substance used to stuff something.

3. seasoned bread crumbs or other filling used to stuff poultry, vegetables, etc., before cooking.

Well, maybe just look up the word Thanksgiving.

thanks•giv•ing (ˌθæŋksˈgɪv ɪŋ) n.

1. the act of giving thanks.

2. an expression of thanks, esp. to God.

3. a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor.

4. (cap.) Thanksgiving Day.

There we go, I like that one. I should have started there!

Well, whatever it means.....I think I will go help mix up some cranberry salad, cook some turkey, mix some other fixins' together and sit down with my family to eat. After that I intend on falling asleep on the sofa with my new grandson while watching the football game........and all of that......I am Thankful for!

Many Blessings to you my friends.

Eugene Thompson

ET This I Believe