Jive Turkey Meaning: What Does This Slang Term Really Mean?

Have you ever heard the term “jive turkey” and wondered what it meant? In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of “jive turkey” in more detail and look at some examples of how it’s used in everyday conversation. So, let’s dive in and discover the meaning of “jive turkey”!

Jive Turkey Meaning

Table of Contents

Jive Turkey Meaning

What Does Jive Turkey Mean?

Jive turkey is a slang term that originated in the 1970s and is still in use today. It is used to describe someone who is dishonest, insincere, or unreliable. The term is often used to describe someone who makes exaggerated claims or empty promises without any intention of following through on them.

The term jive turkey is typically used in a derogatory manner to insult someone’s character. It is often used to describe someone who is trying too hard to be cool or impress others, but is failing to do so in a convincing or authentic way.

Some common synonyms for jive turkey include fraud, phony, liar, and faker. The term is often used in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and has been popularized in pop culture through movies, TV shows, and music.

It is important to note that using the term jive turkey can be considered offensive and disrespectful, especially in professional or formal settings. It is always best to use language that is respectful and appropriate for the situation.

Origin and Historical Context

The term “jive turkey” has its roots in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and was popularized in the 1970s. The word “jive” has been used in AAVE since the early 1920s to describe insincere or deceptive talk. The addition of “turkey” to the phrase is believed to have been influenced by the use of the word “turkey” as a derogatory term for someone who is foolish or inept.

During the 1970s, the phrase “jive turkey” became a popular insult in African American communities. It was often used to call out someone’s insincerity or to mock their attempts at being cool. The phrase was also used in blaxploitation films and popular television shows of the era, such as “Good Times” and “Sanford and Son.”

Influence on Popular Culture

The phrase “jive turkey” has had a lasting impact on popular culture. It has been referenced in countless films, TV shows, and songs. For example, in the film “Airplane!”, the character Roger Murdock tells a passenger, “Don’t give me no jive, turkey.” In the TV show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” the character Will Smith frequently uses the phrase to mock his cousin Carlton.

The phrase has also been used in advertising, such as in a 2013 commercial for KFC where a turkey is referred to as a “jive turkey.” The phrase has even made its way into the world of sports, with athletes using it to taunt their opponents.

Jive Turkey: Linguistic Analysis

Etymology

The term “jive turkey” became popular in the 1970s and is a combination of two words: “jive” and “turkey”. “Jive” is a slang term that means to deceive or mislead someone, while “turkey” is a term used to describe someone who is foolish or inept. The combination of these two words creates a term that is used to describe someone who is unreliable, dishonest, or insincere.

The exact origin of the term is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in African American communities in the United States. It was popularized in the 1970s by African American musicians and comedians, and it quickly became a part of popular culture.

Usage and Interpretation

The term “jive turkey” is generally used as an insult to describe someone who is dishonest or insincere. It can also be used to describe someone who is trying too hard to be cool or impressive, but is failing to do so in an authentic way.

Here are some example sentences to help you understand the usage and interpretation of the term:

“Don’t believe anything he says, he’s just a jive turkey.”
“He thinks he’s so cool, but he’s just a jive turkey.”
“I can’t stand that guy, he’s such a jive turkey.”

It is important to note that the term “jive turkey” can be seen as offensive and should be used with caution. It is often viewed as a derogatory term and can be hurtful to some individuals.

Jive Turkey in Media and Entertainment

Jive Turkey in Movies

Jive turkey has been used in various movies, especially those set in the 1970s. Some of the notable movies that have used the term include “Shaft” (1971), “Super Fly” (1972), and “Car Wash” (1976). In these movies, jive turkey was used to describe characters who were insincere, dishonest, and unreliable.

For example, in “Shaft,” the protagonist John Shaft used the term to describe a character named Bumpy Jonas, who was a drug dealer and a liar. In “Super Fly,” the main character Priest used the term to describe the police officers who were trying to catch him. In “Car Wash,” the character named Lindy used the term to describe a customer who was trying to get a free car wash.

Jive Turkey in Music

The term jive turkey has also been used in various songs, especially those in the funk and soul genres. Some of the notable songs that have used the term include “Jive Turkey” by Ohio Players, “Jive Turkey” by Rufus Thomas, and “Jive Turkey (Part 1)” by Jimmy McGriff.

In these songs, jive turkey was used to describe people who were trying to be cool or impress others, but were failing to do so in an authentic way. The term was also used to describe people who were dishonest or untrustworthy.

Jive Turkey in Literature

Jive turkey has also been used in various books and novels. For example, in the book “Black Talk: How to Speak and Understand Black American Slang” by Geneva Smitherman, jive turkey was described as a term used to describe someone who is “phony, insincere, or dishonest.”

In the novel “The Coldest Winter Ever” by Sister Souljah, the term was used to describe a character named Midnight, who was a drug dealer and a liar. The protagonist, Winter, used the term to describe Midnight when she discovered his true nature.

Overall, jive turkey has been a popular term in media and entertainment, especially in the 1970s. The term has been used to describe characters who are insincere, dishonest, or untrustworthy. It has also been used in various songs and books to describe people who are trying to be cool or impress others in an inauthentic way.

Contemporary Usage of Jive Turkey

Jive turkey is a term that originated in the 1970s within the African-American community. Although it is not as commonly used as it once was, the term still has a place in contemporary slang. In this section, we will discuss how jive turkey is used in modern slang and social media.

Jive Turkey in Modern Slang

In contemporary speech and writing, jive turkey is a humorous, deliberately outdated way to call someone a “fool.” It is often used nostalgically for 1970s funk music and old-school TV characters like George Jefferson. Jive turkey jokes are common puns around Thanksgiving, since everybody’s got turkey on the mind.

Here are some examples of how jive turkey can be used in modern slang:

“Don’t be a jive turkey, man. Just tell me the truth.”
“She thinks she’s so cool, but she’s just a jive turkey trying too hard.”
“I can’t believe you fell for his lies. He’s such a jive turkey.”

Jive Turkey in Social Media

Jive turkey is also used in social media as a way to call out insincere or dishonest behavior. It is often used as a hashtag or in memes to mock someone who is trying too hard to be cool or impress others.

Here are some examples of how jive turkey is used in social media:

“When you’re trying to act like you’re too cool for school but everyone knows you’re just a #jiveturkey”
“I can’t believe he’s still trying to flex on Instagram. What a jive turkey.”
“Don’t be a jive turkey and post fake news on Facebook.”

In conclusion, while jive turkey may not be as widely used as it once was, it still has a place in contemporary slang and social media. It is a humorous and lighthearted way to call out insincere or foolish behavior. Just remember, don’t be a jive turkey yourself!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the term ‘jive turkey’?

The origin of the term ‘jive turkey’ is not entirely clear. However, it is believed to have emerged in African-American culture in the 1970s. Some sources suggest that it may have originated in jazz music, where ‘jive’ referred to the slang used by musicians to communicate with each other. ‘Turkey’ is a slang term that means a foolish or inept person.

What does ‘jive turkey’ mean in the slang of the 70s?

In the slang of the 70s, ‘jive turkey’ was an insult used to describe someone who was being insincere, dishonest, or trying too hard to be cool. It was often used in African-American communities as a way to call out people who were not being genuine.

Who said ‘jive turkey’ on TV?

One of the most famous uses of the term ‘jive turkey’ on TV was by the character Dr. Huxtable on the popular 80s sitcom, The Cosby Show. Dr. Huxtable would often use the term to tease his son, Theo, when he was acting foolishly or trying too hard to be cool.

What are some synonyms for ‘jive turkey’?

Some synonyms for ‘jive turkey’ include ‘phony’, ‘fraud’, ‘poser’, ‘fake’, ‘wannabe’, and ‘pretender’. All of these terms are used to describe someone who is not being genuine or honest.

What is the ‘Jive Turkey’ song?

The ‘Jive Turkey’ song is a funk track by the band Ohio Players. It was released in 1974 and features lyrics that use the term ‘jive turkey’ in a playful way. The song became a hit and helped to popularize the term in mainstream culture.

What is the ‘Jive Turkey’ movie quote?

The ‘Jive Turkey’ movie quote is from the 1975 blaxploitation film, Dolemite. In the movie, the character Dolemite uses the term ‘jive turkey’ to insult his enemies and assert his dominance. The quote has since become a popular catchphrase and is often used to reference the film.

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The origin of the term 'jive turkey' is not entirely clear. However, it is believed to have emerged in African-American culture in the 1970s. Some sources suggest that it may have originated in jazz music, where 'jive' referred to the slang used by musicians to communicate with each other. 'Turkey' is a slang term that means a foolish or inept person.

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In the slang of the 70s, 'jive turkey' was an insult used to describe someone who was being insincere, dishonest, or trying too hard to be cool. It was often used in African-American communities as a way to call out people who were not being genuine.

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One of the most famous uses of the term 'jive turkey' on TV was by the character Dr. Huxtable on the popular 80s sitcom, The Cosby Show. Dr. Huxtable would often use the term to tease his son, Theo, when he was acting foolishly or trying too hard to be cool.

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Some synonyms for 'jive turkey' include 'phony', 'fraud', 'poser', 'fake', 'wannabe', and 'pretender'. All of these terms are used to describe someone who is not being genuine or honest.

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The 'Jive Turkey' song is a funk track by the band Ohio Players. It was released in 1974 and features lyrics that use the term 'jive turkey' in a playful way. The song became a hit and helped to popularize the term in mainstream culture.

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The 'Jive Turkey' movie quote is from the 1975 blaxploitation film, Dolemite. In the movie, the character Dolemite uses the term 'jive turkey' to insult his enemies and assert his dominance. The quote has since become a popular catchphrase and is often used to reference the film.

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