Usually a symbol of poverty. But see 1824.
1824. We have seen fit to say “the patience of Job’s turkey,” instead of the common phrase, “as patient as Job.” And so it must go for this tune at any rate. ’Twould worry out the patience of Job’s turkey to be picked and pillaged from in this way.—The Microscope, May 22: from the Troy Sentinel.
[1839. All the honest people he ever knew were as poor as King David’s goslings, and expected to remain so.—R. M. Bird, ‘Robin Day,’ ii. 39 (Phila.).]
1843. He’s poor as Job’s turkey, if it want for that powerful sallury the trustees give him.—B. R. Hall (‘Robert Carlton’), ‘The New Purchase,’ ii. 85.
1848. To judge by the way they stand being shot at, one would infer they must be old and tough as “Job’s turkey!”—C. W. Webber, ‘Old Hicks the Guide,’ p. 49 (N.Y.).
1852. We are as poor as the turkey of Job, and I don’t know when I’ve seed the colour of any one’s brandy.—C. H. Wiley, ‘Life in the South,’ p. 17 (Phila.).
1856. Why are we all, now, poor as Job’s turkeys, not knowing where to find a house to sleep in, or git food for to-morrow’s dinner?—W. G. Simms, ‘Eutaw,’ p. 44 (N.Y.).
[1866. I should rather be as poor as Job’s cat all the days of my life.—Seba Smith, ‘’Way Down East,’ p. 184.]
1871. But laws! don’t I remember when he was poarer nor Job’s turkey?—E. Eggleston, ‘The Hoosier School-master,’ p. 39.
