打開窗戶說亮話,說實在的,相傳在北美殖民時期,一個白人和一個黑人去打獵,事先說好了平分打到的獵物.結果一天下來只打到一只火雞和一只鷓鴣.白人心里想要火雞,但又不敢直接說,于是對印第安人說"如果你要火雞,我就拿鷓鴣,如果你要鷓鴣,我就拿火雞",印第安人一聽就明白了,于是針鋒相對地說:"你一直在講火雞,現在讓我也講講火雞吧!" 于是talk turkey 演變成"打開窗戶說亮話,說實在的,坦誠地說話"的意思了.
例:
1. If you are willing to talk turkey, the dispute between us can be easily settled.
如果你愿意實實在在地說話,那么我們之間的爭端就可以很容易地解決.
2. Generally he is an easy-going person, but when it comes to religious belief he talks turkey.
一般來說,他是一個隨和的人,但一談到宗教信仰,他就正經起來.
其它詞匯:
*have a turkey on (one's) back: 1、喝醉酒 2、吸毒
*red as a turkey cock: 氣的滿面通紅
*swell like a turkey cock: 氣勢洶洶的發作
* Thanksgiving dinner 感恩節正餐
* Thanksgiving turkey 感恩節火雞