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
The first tune he published in the U. S. was Some Smoke, a turkey trot, in 1913.
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
She had worn it when she taught him to turkey-trot.
From What Will People Say? A novel by Hughes, Rupert
They had little sympathy for the elimination of the graceful dance by the introduction of what they called the "shuffle" or the "bunny-hug," "turkey-trot," and other ungraceful and unworthy dances.
From The Americanization of Edward Bok : the autobiography of a Dutch boy fifty years after by Bok, Edward William
But even as they whirled on and hopped and skipped in the silly frivolity of the turkey-trot he was solemnly experiencing an awe of her.
From What Will People Say? A novel by Hughes, Rupert
"Something like this," said Horace, and, rising, he indulged in the prehistoric turkey-trot of a year ago, with burlesque hip-snaps and poultry-yard scrapings of the foot.
From In a Little Town by Hughes, Rupert
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)
"What's the matter with 'em?" he had inquired as the steed Ben turkey-trotted away.
From Missy by Gatlin, Dana
Ben moved his head impatiently, and turkey-trotted straight ahead.
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
I wonder if I properly appreciate the distinction of being asked to Mrs. Jones' turkey-trotting parties!
From The "Goldfish" by Train, Arthur Cheney
Was it done to a frazzle, turkey-trotting with all the chaperons?
From Kildares of Storm by Kelly, Eleanor Mercein
I am no devout lover of rag-time and turkey-trotting, but they too are manifestations.
From Art by Bell, Clive
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
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.
