When someone gives something up suddenly and completely, without easing into it, we say they quit cold turkey. It is a strange phrase when you stop to think about it. What does a plate of cold poultry have to do with quitting cigarettes or deleting a social media account? As odd as it sounds, the phrase "cold turkey" has been part of English for over a century, and the history behind it is just as jarring as the decision it describes.
Today, going cold turkey means stopping something immediately with no gradual reduction and no assistance. The phrase is often used when talking about addiction, like quitting smoking or drinking, but it also works for anything someone gives up abruptly. People use it when they quit caffeine, stop watching TV, or even break off a relationship. The phrase captures the shock and discomfort of quitting something suddenly, which is exactly what makes it so powerful.
Some language historians believe the phrase grew out of an earlier one, "talking turkey," which meant speaking plainly or directly. If you go cold turkey, the idea is that you are facing the issue head-on without excuses or soft landings. Others point to the actual look and feel of cold turkey meat—pale, clammy, and not particularly appealing—which happens to resemble the physical symptoms of withdrawal. One of the first written uses of the phrase appeared in 1921 in the Daily Express, where a doctor referred to drug addicts quitting cold turkey. The article didn’t explain the phrase, which suggests it was already understood by readers.
By the 1930s, "cold turkey" was appearing regularly in medical journals, news stories, and even fiction. It became a common way to describe the stark, painful process of withdrawal. The phrase fit the moment perfectly—short, punchy, and just uncomfortable enough to describe what quitting really feels like. Eventually, it moved beyond the world of addiction. Today, people use it any time they decide to make a fast and final change, whether they are cutting sugar, deleting an app, or walking away from something for good.
"Cold turkey" remains in use because it paints a strong and relatable picture. There is no comfort in it, no transition period, and no soft landing. It describes something that happens quickly and feels as unpleasant as it sounds. It also has rhythm and impact, which makes it easy to say and easy to remember. Like the act itself, it leaves no room for half-measures.
When someone says they are going cold turkey, they are not talking about holiday leftovers. They are talking about facing something hard, cutting it off completely, and pushing through the discomfort without help. It may sound quirky, but for anyone who has done it, the reality is anything but. It takes real grit to quit something cold turkey—and sometimes, that’s the only way.
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