Why Do We Break the Turkey Wishbone at Thanksgiving?
Learn more about this unusual yet age-old tradition so you can share the fascinating trivia this holiday season.
Originally celebrated to commemorate the first successful harvest on American turf, members of the Wampanoag tribe and the colonists shared the inaugural Thanksgiving dinner in 1621. It’s been an official federal holiday since Abraham Lincoln declared it so in 1863.
Between then and now, most Thanksgiving traditions have evolved a lot. When they arrived on the Mayflower, the colonists brought with them a certain unusual Thanksgiving tradition that has stood the test of time, however: the turkey wishbone game. Read on for a bit of Thanksgiving history about where this tradition came from. Then we’re sharing how to find the wishbone, how (and when) to remove it from the bird, plus our best tricks to win the wishbone game.
What Is a Wishbone?
Before we dive in about this particular piece of Thanksgiving history, a little biology refresher: The wishbone’s anatomical name is actually “furcula.” It’s a fork-shaped bone that lies between a bird’s neck and sternum. Think of the furcula as similar to our collarbones, only the furcula is slightly more elastic. This flexibility allows the bone to act like a spring, which plays an important role in the wing-flapping and flying process.
How to Find and Remove the Wishbone
Since the wishbone game is best with a dry bone—and the turkey breast is easier to carve without the furcula—we suggest locating and removing the wishbone before you roast the turkey. Here’s how:
Place the raw turkey on a clean cutting board (one that you reserve for raw meat only) with the breast-side up, legs pointing away.
With a clean index finger, reach into the neck cavity to locate the V-shape bone in the center.
Using a paring knife, slice along the edges to cut a thin incision through the muscle.
Stick your finger inside this slit to make it slightly larger.
When you’ve sliced enough of the turkey away to detach both sides of the bone from the muscle, use your fingers to loosen the bone.
Pulling gently at the center of the “V,” remove the bone.
To use the furcula for the turkey wishbone game, you’ll want to clean and dry it. (And while we’re mentioning it, clean and sanitize that cutting board after transferring the bird to the roasting pan to keep your kitchen food safe.)
Wash the bone with soap and water. You can either allow the wishbone to air-dry for about a week, or pop it in the oven for an hour as the turkey cooks.
The Turkey Wishbone Thanksgiving Tradition, Explained
This Thanksgiving tradition begins about 2,400 years ago, according to historian estimates, among residents of the ancient Italian civilization called Etruria. They believed that hens were oracles, so when they killed one, they’d take out the furcula and dry it in the sun. The Etruscans would then carry the furcula around and stroke it—similar to how Aladdin rubs his lamp to make a wish with the genie in the Disney movie—believing this habit would provide good fortune or help make wishes come true.
Over time, the Etruscans began to notice there weren’t enough wishbones to go around, so they began snapping them in half between two people. A couple centuries later, the Romans came to town and began to follow suit. The Romans packed the tradition along on their way to England, and these people originally brought the lore to the New World.
Even though there probably weren’t turkeys at the first Thanksgiving (historians believe that the main dish was probably pork, lamb, wild fowl, or game), the tradition carried on throughout the year as the colonists hunted wild turkeys, ducks, and geese that were prominent in the area.
When the turkey evolved to become closely linked to Thanksgiving in the 1800s, the turkey wishbone game came along with it. As you can tell, this particular ritual is quite the game of telephone. It’s also quite the staple of our culture. Some etymologists believe the phrase “getting a lucky break” is a nod to being the victor of the turkey wishbone game.
Which Side of the Wishbone “Wins”?
To play the turkey wishbone game, two people think about a wish while each is pulling on opposite ends of the furcula. When the wishbone breaks, the individual with the centerpiece is said to have their wish come true.
Related: Our 30 Best Thanksgiving Recipes Will Really Impress Your Guests
Tips to Have a Better Chance at Winning the Wishbone Game
If you’re craving a lucky break, these strategies might help you come out as the victor:
Begin the turkey wishbone game with dry hands.
Aim to select the side with the thicker, sturdier bone.
Hold the wishbone between the thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand, placing your hand as close as possible to the center “V.”
Try to remain still and let your competitor do the yanking.
Now that you’re well-versed in this unique Thanksgiving tradition, this holiday season might just be your luckiest yet. To help ensure it’s the tastiest, too, don’t miss our best Thanksgiving recipes that will really impress your guests.
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