Definition of the word turkey

The origin of the word "turkey" is a topic of debate among linguists and historians. One theory is that the term "turkey" comes from the name of the bird's appearance, which was said to resemble that of a Turkey (an ancient kingdom in Asia Minor). Another theory suggests that the name comes from the Spanish exploration of the New World, where Christopher Columbus and other explorers referred to the birds as "tortuga," or turtle, due to their small size and feathery appearance. It's also believed that the word "turkey" might be derived from the Marchese de la Turquoise, a French nobleman who brought the first turkeys to Europe in the 16th century. Regardless of its true origin, the term "turkey" has been used to describe the bird since the early 17th century.