# Mini Rant Over Phrase "Turkey And All The Trimmings" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 16, 2012, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225 "2012-11-16T18:51:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/1 "2012-11-16T18:51:27Z")
Where and how did this phrase originate? I have heard people talk about their turkey dinner and their _side dishes_ - but have never once heard a human being say, “try my trimmings!” Nor have I ever heard anyone say: “Bob is a great cook, but his trimmings were limp.” “Mary made a great dinner, but her trimmings were burnt.” “Alan had two plates of trimmings.” “Put those leftover trimmings in the Tupperware.” “Great dinner, but damn - not enough trimmings for my taste.” Am I from the only family in the USA who has never once commented on “trimmings” at Thanksgiving? Now, if you want to talk about trimming a Christmas tree, OK…but otherwise, where did I miss this phrase of “trimmings” when referring to food? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/2 "2012-11-16T18:54:40Z")
Some friends once invited me over to trim their tree. They were not happy with what I did to it. Why didn’t they say decorate? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/3 "2012-11-16T23:06:14Z")
_Trim_, as a noun, can mean “material used for decoration or embellishment” - wheel trim on a car, etc. In the context of turkey, it’s all of the relevant accompaniments, which, if it’s a generous and spectacular turkey, look like garnish, rather than side dishes. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/4 "2012-11-16T23:31:07Z")
What, like those little white frilly things around the ankles of the drumsticks? ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/5 "2012-11-16T23:56:36Z")
**DMark** , I hope you don’t take offence, but I think you’re an even worse ranter than me… ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/6 "2012-11-17T00:32:21Z")
My heart goes out to the poor vegetarian, who must subsist on a diet of mere trimmings . . . not even as good as what’s left for the dog. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/7 "2012-11-17T00:34:37Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > … have never once heard a human being say, “try my trimmings!” Right - because in this context, the term is much too general to be used for anything specific. It has the sense of “all the many extras that make the occasion grand.” For Thanksgiving dinner it could easily include: - gravy - giblets - mashed potatoes - squash - sweet potatoes - cranberry sauce - stuffing - other veggies of many types - pies of unlimited variety And a host more I haven’t thought of. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/8 "2012-11-17T00:48:34Z")
Biscuits. And the cranberry sauce must have the ridges from the can on it, just like Mother used to make. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/9 "2012-11-17T05:40:02Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > And the cranberry sauce must have the ridges from the can on it … Indeed. > [@](#): > > … just like Mother used to make. “Just like Mother used to open.” ---
**Author:** ![\_Olive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/4af34b/32.png) [@\_Olive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Olive)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/10 "2012-11-17T06:27:19Z")
Kielbasa and sauerkraut is a must. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/11 "2012-11-17T07:13:36Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > - gravy > - giblets > - mashed potatoes > - squash > - sweet potatoes > - cranberry sauce > - stuffing > - other veggies of many types > - pies of unlimited variety Great. Now I’m hungry. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/12 "2012-11-17T08:03:50Z")
It’s called an idiom. For a moment I thought we were in The Pit, and was going to make a joke at the OP’s expense based on that. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/13 "2012-11-17T08:31:55Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Right - because in this context, the term is much too general to be used for anything specific. It has the sense of “all the many extras that make the occasion grand.” For Thanksgiving dinner it could easily include: > > - gravy > - giblets > - mashed potatoes > - squash > - sweet potatoes > - cranberry sauce > - stuffing > - other veggies of many types > - pies of unlimited variety > > And a host more I haven’t thought of. Home decorations. Those aren’t edible, normally. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Mood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@Blue\_Mood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Mood)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/14 "2012-11-17T10:39:02Z")
Actually, it’s an efficient phrase. “We’re having turkey and all the trimmings” is much easier than saying “we’re having turkey and side dishes and condiments and sauces.” “Trimmings” = all the usual stuff that goes with turkey. Gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, white and/or sweet potatoes, veg. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/15 "2012-11-17T16:36:19Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > It’s called an idiom. Thank you. Now that I am familiar with the grammar aspect, I am still left wondering who ever says this in real life? > [@Blue\_Mood](#): > > Actually, it’s an efficient phrase. “We’re having turkey and all the trimmings” is much easier than saying “we’re having turkey and side dishes and condiments and sauces.” > > “Trimmings” = all the usual stuff that goes with turkey. Gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, white and/or sweet potatoes, veg. I appreciate the clarification - although I already knew what the idiom means. > [@Xema](#): > > Right - because in this context, the term is much too general to be used for anything specific. It has the sense of “all the many extras that make the occasion grand.” I know what it means. My point of this lame (you are correct **mascaroni** ) mini-rant is, why say it? It is like saying, “I am buying a car - with all the accessories!” Meaning you are buying a car with tires, windshield wipers, glove compartment and seatbelts? Duh. I think most people sort of expect those things with a car - and for Thanksgiving dinner, my guess is most people also sort of expect some kind of side dishes to be included. And I still maintain never once in my lifetime have I ever heard anyone in real life say “How were the trimmings?”, “What were the trimmings?”, “Who brought the trimmings?”, “Those trimmings were damned good!” when talking about Thanksgiving dinner. Stay tuned for the equally lame Christmas mini-rant: Why do some people say _ **Santy** _ Claus instead of _ **Santa** _ Claus? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/16 "2012-11-17T17:33:52Z")
And you know what else pisses me off? “All the bells and whistles” has never \*once \*come with bells _or_ whistles! ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/17 "2012-11-17T17:42:50Z")
And I have never seen any non-human mammals at a dog and pony show. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/18 "2012-11-17T17:46:51Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > And you know what else pisses me off? “All the bells and whistles” has never \*once \*come with bells _or_ whistles! Seriously - what a great idea for a Christmas gift…a box full of bells and whistles taped on top of any other gift I give! “Here ya go - Merry Christmas, with all the bells and whistles!” I love it! And in that vein of thought, I now shall bring a bushel basket of clippings from bushes in my garden to the next Thanksgiving party and say, “And here are all the trimmings!” Thank you **Vinyl Turnip** - my mini rant can now be considered a success! ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rant-over-phrase-turkey-and-all-the-trimmings/641225/19 "2012-11-17T17:48:41Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > It is like saying, “I am buying a car - with all the accessories!” Meaning you are buying a car with tires, windshield wipers, glove compartment and seatbelts? Duh. I think most people sort of expect those things with a car - and for Thanksgiving dinner, my guess is most people also sort of expect some kind of side dishes to be included. Two things come to my mind: 1 - it’s not uncommon for Thanksgiving dinners to be sort of a co-op effort. Say, the person who hosts is making the turkey and stuffing and maybe a vegetable, but Aunt Millie brings the rolls, Uncle Janek brings the sweet potato casserole, Parthenia brings dessert, etc. Someone who is hosting Thanksgiving may say, “we’ll have turkey and all the trimmings!” as a way to say they are taking care of all the dishes and so no one else need bring anything. 2 - the alliteration of “ **T** urkey and all the **t** rimmings!” makes it more “fun” to say (I use “fun” rather loosely here, heh) and creates a shorter expression to convey the same idea. Sorta like a brand slogan or a catchphrase.