Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy good food with family and friends. What comes after Thanksgiving? The letter “g.” and a lot of free time, so now is a great time to keep everyone entertained with some Thanksgiving puzzles for all ages. This list of Thanksgiving riddles is great for smart people with a good sense of humor. The whole family will enjoy them. They range from easy to hard, and some of them are even riddles with fun Thanksgiving facts that you can share with others! So, whether you’re talking at the dinner table or lying on the couch after eating too much, take a moment to share some of these Thanksgiving riddles with the people you love. Were betting theyll eat them up—if theyre not too stuffed and sleepy after the big feast, that is. Get the Read Up newsletter from Reader’s Digest all week long for more puzzles, fun facts, humor, cleaning, travel, and tech stories.
Why Wasn’t the Turkey Invited to Dinner?
As Thanksgiving approaches you may hear some silly jokes wondering why the turkey wasn’t invited to the big dinner. Of course we all know the reality is because the turkey is the main course! But these Thanksgiving jokes remind us not to take ourselves too seriously during the holidays.
Why Do We Tell Turkey Jokes at Thanksgiving?
Turkey jokes have become a staple during the Thanksgiving season. Telling silly jokes and puns helps lighten the mood during a stressful holiday. It also allows us to laugh at the fact that we’re roasting a bird as the centerpiece of our meal!
Many Thanksgiving turkey jokes play on the fact that turkeys are oblivious to their fate. We personify the turkey, imagining how he might feel knowing he’s about to become dinner. Giving the turkey a voice through humorous jokes allows us to see the situation from the turkey’s perspective.
Popular Turkey Day Jokes
Here are some of the most popular turkey day jokes and why they make us chuckle:
“Why did the turkey cross the road? Because it was the chicken’s day off!” This joke imagines a scenario where the turkey is stepping in for the chicken, when normally the chicken would be the one crossing the road in jokes.
“If April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring? The Pilgrims!” This history joke pokes fun at the Pilgrims arriving in Massachusetts on the Mayflower ship.
“What key has legs and can’t open doors? A turkey!” This silly play on words evokes imagery of a turkey attempting to unlock a door.
“Why wouldn’t the cranberries get off the stove? They were stuck in a jam!” Visualizing cranberries jammed in a pot on Thanksgiving gives this joke extra appeal.
“Why did the turkey sit on the tomahawk? To hatchet!” The turkey using a tomahawk as a hat is an absurd visual.
As you can see, most turkey day jokes are all about wordplay. Clever puns, double meanings, and visual gags make these jokes humorous.
Jokes About the Turkey’s Absence
More specifically, there are quite a few jokes that center on the idea that the turkey is oblivious to being the main dish. For example:
“Why wasn’t the turkey hungry on Thanksgiving? He was already stuffed!” Envisioning a cooked, stuffed turkey not feeling hungry at the dinner table adds a silly twist.
“Why didn’t the turkey eat dessert? He was already gobbled!” Here, the play on words imagines the turkey too full after becoming the meal to eat more.
“Why was the turkey the drummer in the band? Because he had the drumsticks!” This joke personifies the turkey as playing the drums with his own drumsticks (legs).
“Why did the turkey play drums in the band? He liked being a part of the band, not the dinner!” Another joke giving the turkey an active role, far from the dinner table.
“Why did the turkey cross the road twice? To prove he wasn’t a chicken!” Crossing the road twice proves the turkey’s bravery and also distinguishes him from chickens.
These jokes imagine scenarios where the turkey remains blissfully unaware of his true purpose on Thanksgiving. They give the turkey a voice and personality as a way to poke fun at the traditional turkey dinner.
How to Tell Thanksgiving Turkey Jokes
Thanksgiving turkey jokes are great for getting laughs around the holiday table. Here are some tips for telling these jokes:
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Time it right – Telling jokes when people are settled down after grace but before digging into the big meal is ideal. You’ll have everyone’s attention.
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Practice the delivery – Rehearse telling the joke aloud with proper emphasis and pauses. The timing and delivery can make or break a joke landing well.
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Pick jokes for your audience – Consider jokes appropriate for any kids or older relatives present. Go for universally funny puns versus anything risque.
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Have a few ready – Rotating between 3-5 jokes prevents you from overdoing it on any one. Spread them throughout dinner for a few intermittent laughs.
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Act them out – For visual jokes, acting out parts with your own “turkey” gestures and voices can really sell it.
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Accept the groans – Corny puns come with groans. Laugh through the reactions for the full effect.
With some preparation and practice, turkey jokes can add some seasonal fun to Thanksgiving dinner. Just beware of overdoing it – you don’t want to ruffle any feathers! Focus on keeping the mood light and the puns appropriate for all ages, and you’re sure to gobble up some laughs.
Why Do We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving?
While we’re on the subject, why is turkey the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal anyway? There are a few historical reasons:
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Turkey was abundant in the area inhabited by the Pilgrims and Native Americans at the first Thanksgiving. Compared to other livestock like cows, turkeys were easier to raise with less space needed. Their big size also meant one bird could feed a whole family.
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By the late 1800s, turkey was being commercially raised across America. Advances in shipping via trains meant fresh turkeys could be transported anywhere for Thanksgiving.
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During the World Wars, the government promoted eating turkey for Thanksgiving as a way to support the poultry industry. This cemented the tradition.
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Cookbook promotions by Butterball and brands boosted turkey as the #1 option. Recipes and turkey hotlines made cooking it seem less daunting.
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Regional roots helped establish the tradition in areas like the South, where wild turkeys were always on the menu.
Next time you roast your Thanksgiving turkey, appreciate how this bird became so intrinsically tied to our harvest celebration. Then tell a silly joke or two so we don’t take it too seriously! Laughter is the best seasoning for bringing everyone together around the table.
Thanksgiving riddles for kids
Thanksgiving riddles for adults
NO THANKS said The Turkey ** Invites To Be The Guest
Why did Indians celebrate Thanksgiving?
Lasting three days with no turkey or pie, and very few women, the first Thanksgiving was a political gathering focused on cementing an Indian-Pilgrim military alliance, and nothing like what we celebrate today.
What does Northwood say about a roasted turkey?
Here’s a passage from her 1827 novel, Northwood: The roasted turkey took precedence on this occasion, being placed at the head of the table; and well did it become its lordly station, sending forth the rich odor of its savory stuffing, and finely covered with the froth of its basting.
Are turkeys mentioned in the sources?
These foods, just like turkeys, are mentioned in the sources, but not specifically in connection with the feast.
Was there a Turkey at the 1621 bounty?
There was no mention of turkey being at the 1621 bounty…. If fowl graced the table, it was probably duck or goose. There is simply no basis for the claim that there was no turkey, and Salam cites no source. First of all, it could not be clearer that fowl graced the table; there’s no reason to suggest that there’s any question about that.