   Poor as Job’s TurkeyIn Southern and Appalachian speech, "poor as Job’s turkey" means extremely poor. It’s an old-timer’s saying that blends Bible talk with farm humor, poking fun at the idea that even Job’s turkey didn’t have much to its name. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Animals #People&Relationships #Southern #FarmTalk Hillbilly Dude Says...  Saying 'poor as Job’s turkey' wasn't common where I was growin' up, but I hear it two counties over. So I'm thinking it's regional. Pronunciation[POHR az JOBZ TUR-kee] Meaning & Usage- Extremely poor (adjective phrase, figurative)
Mae:
How bad off were y’all?
Earl:
Bad - poor as Job’s turkey.other spellings: poor as dirt, poor as a church mouse, flat broke, he’s poor as Job’s turkey, we grew up poor as Job’s turkey, and old-timer said we was poor as Job’s turkey ★ This saying shows Southern humor - tying a serious Bible figure to a half-starved turkey. Folks still smile when they hear it, even if they don’t use it anymore. ★ OriginThe Bible’s Job was known for his suffering and loss. Adding "turkey" to the phrase gave it a comic twist in Southern and Appalachian speech, making Job’s bird as pitiful as the man himself. It likely emerged in the 1800s and was popular among old-timers. NotesMost common among older generations in the South and Appalachia. Rare outside the region, and often unknown to outsiders. Sometimes heard in sermons or stories where country speech is thick. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "poor as Job’s tur-key." "Job" rhymes with "robe." | About We are a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia, but wide as the world. Read more... |
 |