Why Do We Say “Cold Turkey”? (No, It’s Not About Food)
When someone says they quit smoking or drinking cold turkey, you know what they mean:
They stopped suddenly. No slow fade. No easing in. Just done.
But what’s with the turkey? And why “cold”?
Let’s find out.
What Does “Cold Turkey” Mean?
“Going cold turkey” means giving up a habit all at once — especially an addictive one.
It’s the opposite of cutting back gradually.
Examples:
- “I quit coffee cold turkey — no decaf, nothing.”
- “She deleted all her social apps cold turkey.”
No tapering. No cheating. Just stop.
So, Why Cold? Why Turkey?
No one knows the exact origin, but here’s the most accepted idea:
When someone suddenly quits a drug like alcohol or nicotine, their body reacts.
They might shiver, get goosebumps, or feel clammy and pale.
That skin — cold and bumpy — was said to resemble the skin of a plucked turkey.
Unpleasant, yes. But memorable enough to stick.
That’s probably how “cold turkey” became a vivid way to describe sudden withdrawal.
When Did It Start?
The phrase started appearing in early 1900s American newspapers, often in stories about addiction recovery.
By the 1920s, “quitting cold turkey” had become common slang — not for food, but for the harsh process of stopping something abruptly.
It didn’t come from Thanksgiving leftovers. Just from the way withdrawal looks and feels.
In Easy Words
“Cold turkey” means quitting something right away — no steps, no help, no in-between.
The phrase probably came from how people looked and felt during sudden withdrawal: cold, pale, and goose bumped, like a raw turkey.
