Talking Turkey means to have frank discussions, blunt in their delivery. When European settlers first came to North America, they confused Turkeys – often found with Native Americans – with the guinea fowls (natives of Africa) they had in their home countries. Soon the turkey was in high demand at the settlements and reservations. Because of this, all serious discussions with the Native Americans became known as “talking about turkey”. Another suggested origin relates to the practice of turkey hunters of attracting their prey by imitating its gobbling noises (“talking turkey”). Apparently the birds would then call back and so reveal their whereabouts.