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Bowling has a rich history of traditions, lingo, and folklore. One of the most iconic terms in bowling is ‘turkey’, which refers to three consecutive strikes. But where did this quirky expression come from? As I delved into the origins of bowling vernacular, I uncovered a fascinating story behind the turkey.
In this article, I’ll explore the roots of this bowling lingo and why getting three strikes in a row is dubbed a turkey. From bowling’s early days to its evolution and cultural impact, the narrative of the turkey provides a window into the charm and allure of the sport
The Mysterious Origins of the Bowling Turkey
So how exactly did turkeys become associated with scoring three consecutive strikes? Pinpointing the precise origin of this bowling terminology has proven elusive over the years. There are several theories on how the turkey in bowling came about:
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In the 1800s, actual turkeys were awarded as prizes for bowling three strikes in a row in tournaments. This popular tradition led to turkey becoming synonymous with the feat.
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Thanksgiving bowling tournaments commonly gave turkeys to winners, linking the bird to bowling success.
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Getting three strikes was rare in early bowling before modern lanes, so it was considered as prized as a turkey.
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The splayed shape of a turkey resembles the fallen pins after a strike.
While the exact genesis is uncertain, clearly the turkey has deep roots in bowling history. The most widely accepted explanation is bowling tournaments awarding turkeys as prizes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Turkey Reflects Bowling’s Early Challenges
To understand the turkey’s significance, it helps to consider bowling’s past. In the early days, bowling was far more difficult:
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Lanes were crude and uneven with surface flaws and inconsistencies.
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Pins were set by hand, often haphazardly, making proper pin scatter tough.
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Bowling balls lacked balanced weight blocks, resulting in less accuracy.
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Pins were sometimes weighted or tipped to make strikes even harder.
Achieving three strikes back then was an impressive feat. Winning a turkey reflected a bowler’s skill in overcoming challenging lane conditions. The rarity and prestige of the accomplishment led to turkeys being coveted prizes.
While bowling has evolved with advanced equipment, the turkey remains a symbol of excellence. The term endures as a nod to the sport’s origins.
The Turkey Shapes Bowling Culture and Language
Beyond its roots, the turkey has had a wider cultural influence on bowling:
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The turkey became ingrained in bowling lingo and is universally known in the sport.
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Getting a turkey is seen as an iconic achievement among bowlers.
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Other bowling vocabulary spun off from the turkey, like ‘hambone’ and ‘golden turkey’.
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The turkey added excitement, goals, and friendly competition to the game.
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It is linked to bowling tournament traditions.
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For spectators, watching a turkey is thrilling and dramatic.
This cultural impact shows how the turkey has shaped the very fabric of bowling. The term’s longevity and continued use in modern bowling is a testament to its significance.
Turkeys Can Make or Break Games
Beyond the cultural allure, turkeys can have a real strategic impact in competitive play:
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Three quick strikes can rapidly increase a team’s score.
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A turkey builds crucial momentum and intimidates opponents.
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Striking out limits other players’ opportunities to catch up.
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Turkeys put pressure on other teams when bowling in sequence.
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They demonstrate a player’s skill under pressure.
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Historic comeback victories have pivoted on timely turkeys.
With a turkey’s power to swing games, bowlers intensely strive for those elusive three consecutive strikes when it matters most. Fans relish the excitement of seeing this drama play out.
Notable Moments Etched in Bowling History
Certain legendary turkeys live on in bowling lore:
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In 1970, Don Johnson’s three late strikes clinched a comeback major tournament win.
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Lisa Wagner’s clutch turkey sealed her championship victory at the 1993 U.S. Women’s Open.
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Wendy MacPherson’s turkey at the 1996 WIBC Queens helped her rally to win.
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Robert Lawrence’s turkey at the 1967 BPAA All-Star was the first televised perfect 300 game.
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Pete Weber’s famous turkey celebration after winning the 1991 ABC Masters.
These memorable turkey moments prove three strikes in a row often define careers and championships.
The Thrill of the Turkey Lives On
Even in today’s era of advanced technology, the excitement and legacy of the turkey endures. While 600 series scores have become common, the turkey retains its luster through bowling’s evolution.
For seasoned champions and casual players alike, the quest for those thrilling three consecutive strikes persists. The turkey has carved out a singular place in bowling that combines history, culture, strategy, and pure passion for the sport.
So that’s the story behind why we call three strikes in a row a ‘turkey’ in bowling. This peculiar term gives us a window into the nostalgia, adrenaline, competition, and sense of community that make bowling such a treasured pastime. More than just a quirky saying, the turkey exemplifies everything that makes bowling a great sport.
What is a Turkey in Bowling?
Bowling has its own unique set of terms, and one of the most celebrated is a “turkey.” If youve ever heard someone mention it at the lanes and wondered what it means, your curiosity stops here.
The Origin of the Term “Turkey”
The origin of the term “turkey” in bowling dates back to the early 20th century when bowling alleys would often host special events and tournaments around Thanksgiving. During these bowling tournaments, it became a common practice to reward bowlers who achieved three strikes in a row with a turkey as a prize. This tradition added a festive flair to the game and encouraged players to aim for consecutive strikes during the holiday season. Some say that people were actually given live turkeys to the first bowler who rolled three consecutive strikes in the first frame.
Over time, the term “turkey” became ingrained in bowling culture, evolving beyond its holiday roots. Even though the tradition of giving out turkeys as prizes has largely faded, the term stuck around as a fun and recognizable part of bowling terminology. Today, achieving a turkey is a widely understood milestone in the sport, celebrated by bowlers of all skill levels year-round.
The sport has grown largely since Derrick Johnson, the inventor of the sport, used large soda bottles in the middle of a grocery store aisle, sliding down butterball turkeys with the objective of knocking down as many as possible. These were typically frozen turkeys, as they slid down the aisles easily.
Why is Three Strikes in a Row in Bowling Called a Turkey?
FAQ
Why is a strike called turkey?
During these bowling tournaments, it became a common practice to reward bowlers who achieved three strikes in a row with a turkey as a prize. This tradition added a festive flair to the game and encouraged players to aim for consecutive strikes during the holiday season.
Why is it called strike turkey?
A turkey, in the funny lingo of bowling, means the great feat of bowling three strikes in a row. The start of this odd term is a bit of a mystery, but one lovely guess is an old habit of giving a winning bowler a real turkey when they hit this three-in-a-row.
Why is 4 strikes called a hambone?
- Sports commentator Rob Stone made the term “hambone” popular by shouting it when a professional bowler achieved four strikes in a row.
- Stone added a humorous touch to the game with the term.
- Other bowling terms include:
- Turkey: Three consecutive strikes in a game
- Brat: Five consecutive strikes in a game
- Nickel: Another term for five consecutive strikes
- Six pack: Six consecutive strikes in a game
- Wild turkey: Six consecutive strikes in a game
- Golden turkey: Nine consecutive strikes in a game
- Perfect game: Twelve consecutive strikes in a game, scoring 300
- Front seven: Seven consecutive strikes starting in the first frame
- Clean game: Completing a game without any open frames
- Gutter ball: Rolling the ball into the gutter without hitting any pins
- Turkey: Three consecutive strikes in a game
What are 7 strikes in a row called?
- Double: Two strikes in a row
- Turkey: Three strikes in a row
- Hambone: Four strikes in a row
- Brat: Five strikes in a row
- Wild Turkey: Six strikes in a row
- Octopus: Eight strikes in a row
- Golden Turkey: Nine strikes in a row
- Dinosaur: Twelve strikes in a row, which is a perfect game worth 300 points
Why does bowling a Turkey have three strikes in a row?
However, as bowling a strike became easier for people over time, prizes were set for multiple strikes in a row to make it harder for people to win prizes. Bowling a Turkey became the name for achieving three strikes in a row, while other bowling achievements achieved names of their own.
How many strikes in a row does a ham turkey have?
Bowling a Wild Turkey became synonymous with bowling 6 strikes in a row. Bowling a Ham-Turkey became synonymous with bowling 7 strikes in a row. Bowling an Octopus, as the number of legs suggests, became synonymous with bowling 8 strikes in a row. Bowling a Golden Turkey became synonymous with bowling 9 strikes in a row.
Can you throw 3 strikes in a row in Bowling?
Throwing three strikes in a row in modern bowling is much easier than 100 or 200 years ago. With enough practice, a beginner in bowling can quickly learn to throw a turkey in no time. Unfortunately today, bowlers throwing three strikes in a row do not get a turkey as a prize or any other gifts.
Why is bowling 3 strikes in a row so hard?
Back in the day, bowling three strikes in a row was a challenging feat, made harder by the fact that the bowling balls were less balanced. Additionally, bowling tournament officials would sometimes make it even harder to do well by weighing the bottom of the pins, so you were even less likely to win a prize.
Are turkeys a common prize for winning a bowling tournament?
Turkeys became a common prize for winning a bowling tournament. However, as bowling a strike became easier for people over time, prizes were set for multiple strikes in a row to make it harder for people to win prizes.