Revision 304693900 of "Jive turkey" on enwiki

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'''[[Jive]] turkey''' was a derogatory [[slang]] word in [[African American Vernacular English]] ([[Ebonics]]), used to refer to someone who was unreliable, made empty promises, or who was full of bluster; in other words, a [[Moron (psychology)|moron]].

Several [[funk music|funk]] groups in the late 1960s and 1970s used the term, particularly the [[Ohio Players]] in songs such as "Jive Turkey" on the album [[Skin Tight]] from [[1974]].

The insult became widely known in the 1980s, particularly via television comedies (e.g., [[The Jeffersons]]). The term has been used by later television characters (e.g., [[Homer Simpson]]) in order to demonstrate that they are out of touch with modern [[youth]] trends, culture, and language. 

The term was also used in the [[Hollywood]] film [[Semi-Pro]] starring [[Will Ferrell]]."Jive turkey" also garnered attention in the movie [[Trading Places]].  ''Jive turkey'', however, was already falling into disuse when it was spoken by "hip" television characters in the 1970s, such as [[George Jefferson]].

Jive turkey is also a quick step dance in Germany in the 1930s. it is also known as the chicken waddle.

One other definition of "jive turkey" was a white man who was so impressed with modern street culture that he made a pretense of solidarity with it. The white equivalent to the term ("wigger") took decades to evolve but is equally derogatory. This newer synonym to the original epithet stands as proof that both are at least a bit racist in nature.

==See also==
*[[1970s]]
*[[Generation X]]
*[[Trendy]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jive Turkey}}
[[Category:Pejorative terms for people]]
[[Category:African American culture]]


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