{"id":3482,"date":"2022-06-29T17:00:25","date_gmt":"2022-06-29T17:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=3482"},"modified":"2022-06-29T17:00:25","modified_gmt":"2022-06-29T17:00:25","slug":"cold-turkey-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/cold-turkey-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Cold Turkey \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a way to quit smoking? You could always try the method of going \u201ccold turkey<\/em>.\u201d This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201ccold turkey\u201d<\/em> means to stop something abruptly, without any support. The phrase usually applies to substance abuse cases. A person may be addicted to hard drugs, like opioids, where quitting them without any supporting medication leads to withdrawals.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This type of cessation strategy, with no support, is known as \u201ccold turkey<\/em>.\u201d You probably hear people use the saying when they are quitting smoking without the assistance of nicotine replacement therapy, like the patch or gum.<\/p>\n

Quitting a substance using the cold turkey method seems to be the most effective route of cessation. However, it\u2019s also the most challenging. People that use cold turkey to quit substances undergo withdrawals that are incredibly uncomfortable and sometimes painful.<\/p>\n

There are also times when a person can\u2019t go cold turkey with certain drugs. They require a tapering strategy where the patient weans themselves off the drug over a few months.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cToday is three months since I stopped smoking. I quit cold turkey, and it was way easier than I thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve tried quitting smoking using patches, gum, everything. I\u2019m giving up on it, and I\u2019m going to try and stop cold turkey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t just come off Xanax cold turkey; you\u2019ll get a seizure and maybe die. You need to taper off. Speak to your doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cQuitting booze cold turkey was a nightmare, but I had to do it. I\u2019m glad I didn\u2019t need to check myself into rehab, but the withdrawal was pretty bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWithdrawing from opioids is the worst thing ever. You feel sick all the time, and you just want more painkillers. The only way to deal with it is to quit cold turkey and never look back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re going to quit, then do it cold turkey. It might be hard, and you\u2019ll suffer, but it\u2019s the only strategy that works.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cQuitting cold turkey is terrible. The withdrawal symptoms are mind-wrecking. I found it much easier to quit smoking with NRT patches.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201ccold turkey\u201d originates from the older expressions \u201ctalking turkey\u201d or \u201ctalking cold turkey,\u201d meaning people who were upfront with each other during conversation. They would beat around the bush and get to the point timeously.<\/p>\n

The phrase changed its meaning to situations where people would abruptly stop doing an action or task.<\/p>\n

The earliest use of \u201ccold turkey\u201d in print comes from The Daily Colonist newspaper in 1921. The article refers to the modern use of the saying with it, referring to drug withdrawal. The post has the expression appearing as follows.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps the most pitiful figures who have appeared before Dr. Carleton Simon are those who voluntarily surrender themselves. When they go before him, they [drug addicts] are given what is called the \u2018cold turkey\u2019 treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n