[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]Bowling lingo can be hard to keep track of. This is no surprise, as the sport has had plenty of time to make a mark in popular culture.
How long has bowling been around? Well, experts claim that the sport dates back to 3200 BC. There are Egyptian hieroglyphs that depict a game very similar to modern bowling. Some ancient tombs also contain what seem to be bowling pins.
Over the years, bowling aficionados coined many unique terms related to the sport. For instance, did you ever wonder, “What does a turkey mean in bowling?” If you did, you’ve come to the right place — here’s all you need to know about bowling a turkey!
Bowling has a rich history filled with traditions, and the bowling lingo used by players contains many distinctive terms From sour apples to six packs, bowlers have coined creative phrases to describe different achievements and scenarios in the game One of the most well-known bowling expressions is ‘turkey’, used to denote three consecutive strikes. But why is this phenomenon of knocking down all pins in three frames in a row called a turkey? The history behind this unique bowling jargon reveals some fascinating insights into the sport’s origins and culture.
The Origins of ‘Turkey’ in Bowling Lingo
The use of ‘turkey’ to describe three successive strikes in bowling dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In those early days of bowling, scoring three consecutive strikes was quite difficult and rare. Bowling balls were made of inferior materials, lanes were not as smooth, and pin setting was done manually. Knocking down all ten pins in three frames successively was therefore considered a significant achievement.
To add excitement to the game, bowling alley proprietors would offer prizes to any bowler who could accomplish this challenging feat. In the week leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas when turkeys were plentiful, some enterprising alley owners took advantage of the easy availability of the birds and offered live turkeys as prizes for bowling three strikes in a row. If a bowler succeeded in this difficult endeavor, he or she would be awarded a real turkey as a reward.
As bowling evolved and became more popular as a recreational activity, this practice of giving away turkeys for three consecutive strikes morphed into a tradition. Even after the actual prize of turkeys was discontinued, bowlers and spectators continued using the term ‘turkey’ to reference the phenomenon of three successive strikes. The name stuck, and turkey became indelibly associated with the accomplishment of knocking down all ten pins in three consecutive frames
The Significance of the Turkey in Bowling Culture
Although earning a turkey no longer results in taking home an actual bird, the term has become an integral part of bowling vernacular. It carries important meaning and significance within the sport’s culture.
A turkey represents a singular achievement of accuracy, precision, and consistency. Bowling three strikes in a succession requires focus, skill, and the ability to replicate the same excellent delivery over multiple frames. It is considerably more difficult than just achieving one strike. For this reason, the turkey is highly valued by serious bowlers.
The turkey is also hugely important in the scoring system of bowling. Three successive strikes result in a significant boost in the frame scores. A turkey has the power to shift the momentum of a game decisively in a bowler’s favor. Because of its potential scoring impact, bowlers specifically set out to try and achieve a turkey when they are in a competitive setting.
Recreational bowlers also aspire to rack up turkeys just for the immense satisfaction and bragging rights. The turkey is universally recognized as a mark of bowling competency and mastery. Bowlers fondly remember their first turkey as a milestone achievement.
The Cultural Resonance of the Bowling Turkey
The concept of the turkey has penetrated popular culture and become a phrase used colloquially in contexts outside of bowling as well. Its resonance as a term is tied to the cultural importance and nostalgic standing of bowling in America’s collective consciousness.
For much of the 20th century, bowling alleys were important community hubs and recreational centers. Bowling leagues and tournaments were commonplace. Scoring turkeys was a shared experience that connected bowlers across the country. Because bowling had such cultural currency, linguistic phrases like turkey seeped into everyday expressions.
The ubiquity and appeal of bowling is referenced in media and literature, further cementing the turkey as cultural shorthand. A character in a movie or book excitedly talking about bowling a turkey will be readily understood even by non-bowlers. The turkey became embedded in American culture as bowling grew into the nation’s favorite pastime.
Common Myths and Misconceptions About the Bowling Turkey
As an intriguing and unique term, the concept of the turkey has spawned some erroneous myths and misconceptions over the years.
One common misconception is that the turkey is easy to score. In fact, consistently bowling three strikes requires significant skill. Modern bowling technologies have increased strike rates, but stringing together a turkey still necessitates precision.
Another myth is that turkeys never happen in professional play. While pros have very high strike rates, they cannot deliver turkeys at will. Bowling three perfect frames is still dependent on finely-tuned technique and concentration.
Some assume that the bowling turkey originated from the bird itself being clumsy and prone to tipping over, like fallen pins. However, there is no relation between the physical attributes of turkeys and their metaphorical use in bowling terminology.
The key misunderstanding is that the turkey represents a random coincidence rather than an esteemed bowling achievement with historical significance. Knowledge of its origins dispels these misconceptions.
Notable Turkeys in Bowling History
While turkeys happen frequently in modern bowling, some standout performances put up by star players have etched certain turkeys in the record books. They represent the turkey’s mystique and importance in bowling history.
In the championship round of the 1959 PBA National Championship, legendary bowler Dick Weber famously clinched the title by bowling three strikes in the final frames, redeeming himself from past failures on the championship stage. This clutch turkey became iconic.
The “Mother of All Turkeys” is the famous streak of eight consecutive turkeys bowled by Joe Joseph during a PBA Regional Tournament in 1992, a feat never duplicated.
Wendy Macpherson’s turkey at the final frames of the 2006 USBC Queens tournament allowed her to make a thrilling comeback and capture the crown, causing a huge uproar.
These and other unforgettable turkeys have become part of bowling lore, adding to the turkey’s mystique.
Advice for Bowling Your First Turkey
For bowling hobbyists yet to accomplish the vaunted turkey, some handy tips and words of wisdom can help in achieving this milestone.
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Stay relaxed and don’t overthink. Over-analyzing can create mental hurdles.
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Use a ball with a weight you are comfortable with and suits your style.
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Focus on repeating a smooth arm swing and rolling the ball on the same line.
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Aim for the pocket at the 1-3 pin or 1-2 pin spots to maximize strike chances.
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Visualize succeeding rather than worrying about failure. Confidence is key.
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Celebrate each strike frame by frame rather than focusing on the finish line.
With dedication and perseverance, bowling fanatics can hope to earn the coveted turkey. The joy of that accomplishment will be worth the journey.
Why the Turkey Still Captivates Bowlers’ Imaginations
In the modern bowling era of technologically advanced bowling balls, synthetic lanes, and computerized scoring systems, racking up strikes is easier than ever. Yet the concept of the turkey manages to not only endure but continue captivating the imaginations of bowlers everywhere.
This is because the turkey exemplifies a singular bowling excellence. It rewards consistency, diligence, and mastery of skills. The journey toward achieving that first turkey is a rite of passage for bowlers, infusing the game with a sense of lore and tradition.
The turkey became etched into the vocabulary of bowling, standing as shorthand for an awe-inspiring scoring feat. The romantics of chasing the turkey will ensure it always remains an integral part of bowling’s appeal and culture even as the sport evolves. That chase symbolizes the essence of human competition and our eternal drive for self-improvement.
So the next time you hear a bowler shout “Turkey!” in celebration, know that the expression has roots extending back over a hundred years, when the feat of three consecutive strikes was once rewarded with an actual bird rather than just high-fives. That unique history lives on in bowling lingo today!
The Sport of Turkey Bowling
The term “turkey” goes beyond a simple bowling achievement. For example, did you know that there’s an actual sport called turkey bowling?
As the name implies, the sport is a lot like ordinary bowling. Key differences include using a frozen turkey as the ball and plastic bottles as the pins. The contestants bowl the turkey down a smooth surface, such as ice or soap-covered plastic.
The sport itself is a recent invention. In 1988, businessman Derrick Johnson came up with the rules while he was working as a grocery clerk. The idea came to him as he observed his manager slide a frozen turkey to topple a soda bottle by accident.
Turkey bowling is often associated with Thanksgiving. It’s particularly popular in Canada and the United States.
The Origins of the Term
The phrase “bowling a turkey” has its roots in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Back then, bowling tournaments were popular with everyone, from the aristocracy to the working class. The most common prize at these tournaments was a basket of food. The basket often included coveted items, such as a large ham.
At some point, turkeys took over as the main tournament prize. Nobody is quite sure when or why this happened. Still, it’s believed that this practice came to life around Thanksgiving.
Now, back in the day, prizes revolved around getting strikes. As you may be able to guess, “bowling a turkey” became synonymous with hitting three strikes in a row. Anyone who managed this feat would get a turkey as a reward.
Soon enough, this practice spread to the point of becoming a part of the bowling vernacular. Though tournaments stopped giving away turkeys as prizes long ago, getting three strikes in bowling is still known as a turkey.
Other than giving away turkeys, tournament organizers also had other prizes. These included gifts for bowling four, six, or nine consecutive strikes.
You may ask yourself, “How could they have afforded it?” From our perspective, bowling three strikes is an easy way to earn an entire turkey. Even complete amateurs can do it on occasion, and professionals do it on the regular.
The secret lies in the fact that bowling a turkey was much more difficult back then. Unlike our refined and pristine lanes, old-school lanes were uneven and rough. Players also had to place their pins by hand, so they weren’t perfectly spaced.
The bowling balls weren’t as balanced either, so consistency was harder to achieve. To top it all off, many tournament officials weighted the pins’ bottoms. This made them much heavier and harder to knock over.
These days, a turkey is the most popular part of the bowling lingo. That said, there are many other common terms you might have heard of. Here are some examples:
• Hambone: four strikes in a row
• Wild turkey: six strikes in a row
• Golden turkey: nine strikes in a row
Don’t feel like keeping track of these terms? If so, call them “baggers.” Four strikes in a row is a four-bagger, five strikes is a five-bagger, and so on.
The one other common bowling term you should remember is “dinosaur.” We use this phrase for a perfect bowling game, i.e. all strikes from start to finish. The idea behind the term was that a perfect game was as non-existent as a dinosaur.
Of course, this is another term that didn’t age all that well. The dinosaur is very achievable these days, especially in high-prestige events. In 1953, pro bowler Grazio Castellano bowled the first dinosaur on live television.
Why is Three Strikes in a Row in Bowling Called a Turkey?
FAQ
Why is bowling called Turkey?
Why are four strikes called a hambone?
Where did the term hambone come from in bowling?
What are 7 strikes in a row called?
Why is it called a ‘Turkey’ in Bowling?
This practice led to the term ‘turkey’ becoming ingrained in bowling terminology as a term to describe three strikes in a row. The tradition of giving away turkeys for three strikes gained widespread popularity, leading to the term ‘turkey’ becoming a staple in bowling lingo.
Why are three strikes called a Turkey in Bowling?
Keep that in mind. So, that’s why three strikes are called a “Turkey” in bowling. It’s because when a bowler gets three strikes in a row, it resembles the waddle of a turkey, hence the name. It’s one of those quirky and fun facts that add to the charm of the sport.
What is a Turkey Bowl?
The term ‘turkey bowl’ refers to a distinct game of bowling played with a frozen turkey as a bowling ball, often around Thanksgiving. It is different from achieving a ‘turkey’ in regular bowling, which denotes three consecutive strikes rolled by a single bowler.
Did a bowler get a Turkey in Bowling?
In other words, when a bowler throws three strikes in a row, we say that he or she got a turkey in bowling. The game of bowling has been around for a long time. In fact, the game has been traced back to 3,200 BC by archeologists who found what appeared to be bowling pins in tombs.