Why Do We Say “Cold Turkey” When Someone Stops Smoking All at Once?
Question by Rain: Why do we say “cold turkey” when someone stops smoking all at once?
What is the origin of the expression “cold turkey”?
Best answer:
Answer by Knights_Who_Say_Ni
“Cold turkey” is a slang expression describing the actions of a person who gives up a habit or addiction right away, at a single moment, rather than gradually (easing the process through tapering off or supplemental medication). The term allegedly derives from the comparison of a cold turkey carcass and the state of a withdrawing addict — most notably, the cold sweats and goose bumps. It is often preceded by the verb ‘to go’, as ‘going cold turkey’.
Answer by Desert Rose
The term allegedly derives from the comparison of a cold turkey carcass and the state of a withdrawing addict — most notably, the cold sweats and goose bumps. It is often preceded by the verb ‘to go’, as ‘going cold turkey’.