National Jive Turkey Day

Smiling person in colorful 70s attire, dancing with a turkey in a disco-themed setting.. — National jive turkey day illustration

Ah, National Jive Turkey Day! A day where we celebrate those charming, charismatic individuals who just ooze confidence and style. It's a day to honor the smooth talkers, the slick dancers, and the cool cats who can jive with the best of them. So put on your dancing shoes, practice your smooth moves, and get ready to celebrate this groovy holiday!

When is Jive Turkey Day?

It's national jive turkey day on the 14th December.

The Internet History of National Jive Turkey Day

National Jive Turkey Day is a relatively new addition to the ever-growing list of national days. It first gained attention online on December 14, 2016, when people started sharing their love for all things jive turkey on social media.

But you might be wondering, what exactly is a jive turkey? Well, my friend, a jive turkey is a term that originated in the 1970s. It's a way to playfully describe someone who's a bit of a poser or a phony. Picture the guy at the disco with the flashy shirt and the exaggerated dance moves – that's a jive turkey!

On National Jive Turkey Day, people embrace their inner jive turkeys and celebrate by channeling their disco spirit. Whether it's dressing up in funky outfits, busting out some classic disco moves, or just grooving to their favorite tunes, jive turkeys everywhere come out in full force on this special day.

History behind the term 'Jive Turkey'

1920s

The Jazz Age

During the 1920s, a new form of music called Jazz began to rise in popularity, particularly in African-American communities. Jazz music was known for its improvisation, syncopated rhythms, and energetic performances. This era laid the groundwork for the term 'jive,' which originally meant to joke or deceive someone.

1940s

The Swing Era

In the 1940s, Swing music, a style of jazz, became immensely popular across the United States. Artists like Duke Ellington and Count Basie enchanted audiences with their swinging rhythms and captivating melodies. During this time, the term 'jive' evolved to describe a style of talk that was associated with the fast-paced and rhythmically complex nature of Swing music.

1970s

Blaxploitation Films

The term 'jive turkey' gained prominence in the 1970s through the influence of Blaxploitation films. These films, which were primarily produced by and targeted at African-American audiences, often featured characters using colorful and slang-filled language. 'Jive turkey' emerged as a derogatory term used to describe someone who was dishonest, untrustworthy, or simply fooling around.

1970s

The Birth of Disco

Disco music gained popularity in the 1970s and brought with it a distinctive culture and fashion. 'Jive turkey' found a place within this disco culture as a playful insult between friends. It became an amusing way to poke fun at someone, particularly if they were acting foolish or showing off.

1980s - Present

Pop Culture References

Since the 1980s, 'jive turkey' has been solidified in mainstream pop culture. It has been referenced in various television shows, movies, and music, often evoking a sense of nostalgia for the disco era. While the term may no longer have its original negative connotations, it still retains its playful and humorous undertones, continuing to be used as a lighthearted insult or a way to tease someone in a friendly manner.

Did you know?

Did you know that the term 'jive turkey' was popularized by the 1975 blaxploitation film 'Dolemite'? Its main character, played by Rudy Ray Moore, often referred to people as jive turkeys in the movie. Talk about a cinematic influence!