What Do You Call a Turkey With No Legs? The Hilarious Punchline Explained

Sudden change of plans made, and the only turkey left in the store were turkeys with no legs.

I am afraid it is going to be very dry without the fat from the dark meat on the legs.

As Thanksgiving approaches you may hear this classic riddle pop up in conversations

“What do you call a turkey with no legs?”

It’s a simple silly riddle that has been around for ages. But what’s the punchline? And why is it so funny? In this article I’ll break down the origins of this riddle, reveal the humor behind the answer, and share some funny variations you can try out on your family this holiday season.

The History Behind the Riddle

While the exact origins of this turkey riddle are unclear it likely emerged decades ago as a playful joke told around the Thanksgiving table. The nonsensical imagery of a legless turkey lends itself perfectly to cooking up a surprising and funny punchline.

The riddle has spawned many versions over the years. But they all follow the same basic format of setting up an absurd scenario involving a turkey without legs, before delivering a clever pun answer.

It’s a classic example of humorous wordplay using the flexibility of language to surprise us with an unexpected twist.

The Punchline Revealed

So what’s the answer to this famous riddle?

A turkey with no legs is called…a ground turkey!

The answer plays on the double meaning of “ground turkey.” It can refer to both a turkey with no legs that sits on the ground, and the type of turkey meat that has been ground up.

This subversion of a common phrase is what gives the punchline its delighted, groan-inducing humor. It’s so obvious in retrospect, but manages to catch us off guard with its clever wordplay.

Why Is It So Funny?

There are a few elements that make this riddle humorously entertaining:

  • The ridiculous imagery of a legless turkey
  • The surprise of the unexpected answer
  • The play on words using “ground turkey”
  • The grin-inducing silliness of the punchline

By blending absurdity with clever language, the riddle tickles our funny bone through the unexpected. It also appeals to our sense of the preposterous – we can’t help but laugh at the idea of a turkey minus its limbs.

The simple format makes the punchline satisfyingly easy to remember. Kids and adults alike can appreciate the innocent, smile-producing fun of this timeless Thanksgiving joke.

Fun Variations to Try

Once you know the basic punchline, it’s fun to get creative with your own variations on this riddle. Here are a few zany options:

  • What do you call a turkey with rubber legs? A poultry-theist.
  • What do you call a turkey that got run over? Squashed turkey.
  • What do you call a turkey escapologist? Houdinki.
  • What do you call a psychic turkey? A four-seer.

See if you can come up with your own silly versions to stump and delight your family and friends this holiday season. Just be prepared for lots of groans along with the laughs!

So next time someone asks you “What do you call a turkey with no legs?” you’ll know the iconic punchline. Share this funny riddle to spread some Thanksgiving mirth and create new traditions of terrible turkey jokes. Gobble gobble!

what do you call a turkey with no legs

Re: Anyone ever cook a turkey with no legs?

Um….you probably bought a turkey BREAST. Baste it often and dont overcook it.

What do you call a cow with no legs and What’s a turkey’s favorite dessert?

FAQ

What do you call a turkey without legs or wings?

Turkey “crowns” are the breast of the bird with its legs and wings removed. Frozen whole turkeys remain popular. Sliced turkey is frequently used as a sandwich meat or served as cold cuts; in some cases where recipes call for chicken, it can be used as a substitute.

What is a turkey without bones called?

As outlined above, a turkey butterfly is basically a whole turkey breast with all bones removed, leaving you with a nice joint of purely white breast meat. They are quicker to cook than a whole turkey, and super easy to carve (being as you don’t have to navigate any bones).

What are turkey legs called?

Certain topics, such as body parts, weren’t considered ‘proper’ to say in the company of “ladies.” This led to many creative euphemisms for a turkey’s anatomy. “Please pass the leg” just wasn’t considered an acceptable request at the dinner table, so people started referring to turkey legs as drumsticks.

What does “utility turkey” mean?

Canada Utility turkeys are birds with minor skin tears or one or more parts missing which in no way affects the quality. Use these turkeys for cutting up or when carving before serving.

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