An Americanism dating back to 1830–40
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mentally she was working up to a turkey trot in November with her husband and son, but her marathon dreams were over.
From New York Times ● Sep. 19, 2022
And Kelli Foster Warder’s vivacious choreography is a lively pastiche of the cakewalk, the waltz, the turkey trot and other period dances.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 24, 2017
The cakewalk paved the way for a host of other dances, including the turkey trot, the possum trot, and the grizzly bear.
From BBC ● Dec. 30, 2012
Long before such things were socially approved, I stepped out into the middle of a ballroom, danced a solo turkey trot, smoked a cigaret.
From Time Magazine Archive
Hurrying in, I saw they’d pushed all the parlor furniture back against the walls, Miss Love had put on a new dance record, and by golly she was teaching Grandpa the turkey trot!
From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns
In 1839, the Southern Literary Messenger — a magazine edited by Edgar Allen Poe — reported on a new kind of dance, called the "turkey-trot" from its jerking motions.
From Salon ● Nov. 25, 2021
Come later, about three, and teach me to turkey-trot.
From The Penalty by Christy, Howard Chandler
Later he would talk as Persis did and Ten Eyck; he would proclaim the turkey-trot a harmless romp, and the tango a simple walk around.
From What Will People Say? A novel by Hughes, Rupert
Also she whistled, and did a quiet suspicion of a turkey-trot with her feet.
From The Penalty by Christy, Howard Chandler
In higher circles, it is known by the name of the turkey-trot.
From Seeds of Pine by Canuck, Janey
"What's the matter with 'em?" he had inquired as the steed Ben turkey-trotted away.
From Missy by Gatlin, Dana
A girl whom Lorelei recognized as a fellow-member of the Revue danced up to her escort with arms extended, and the two turkey-trotted into the larger room.
From The Auction Block by Beach, Rex Ellingwood
He turkey-trotted up to me for the first round and stopped in front of me as if he was wondering what had blown in and whether the Gerry Society would stand for his hitting it.
From The Coming of Bill by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)
Ben moved his head impatiently, and turkey-trotted straight ahead.
From Missy by Gatlin, Dana
The public refused to try the new Castle dances, and kept on turkey-trotting and bunny-hugging.
From The Americanization of Edward Bok : the autobiography of a Dutch boy fifty years after by Bok, Edward William
The effect was rhythmic but grotesque, much as if Ben thought he was turkey-trotting.
From Missy by Gatlin, Dana
The Victor on deck, which had furnished the incentive to her turkey-trotting with Lord Willowmere, was still exuding a syncopated melody.
From Quick Action by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)
I wonder if I properly appreciate the distinction of being asked to Mrs. Jones' turkey-trotting parties!
From The "Goldfish" by Train, Arthur Cheney
I am no devout lover of rag-time and turkey-trotting, but they too are manifestations.
From Art by Bell, Clive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
