--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What we're really talking about is a…" description: "\"What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac5/erma-bombeck-780_christian-thanksgivi_what-we-re-really-talking-about-is-a-won_2244302.jpg" --- # What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set… ![“What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?” quote by Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac5/erma-bombeck-780_christian-thanksgivi_what-we-re-really-talking-about-is-a-won_2244302.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac5/erma-bombeck-780_christian-thanksgivi_what-we-re-really-talking-about-is-a-won_2244302.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac5/erma-bombeck-780_christian-thanksgivi_what-we-re-really-talking-about-is-a-won_2244302.jpg) > “What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?” [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humor highlights the irony of calling a day of indulgence "Thanksgiving". **In simple terms:** Thanksgiving is about eating, not dieting. Key Takeaway Enjoy the holiday without guilt. Themes humor culture food Mood playful ironic Type satirical observational When to use this quote - family gatherings - holiday meals - diet culture - celebrations Key Concepts irony social critique Questions to Reflect On - How does humor reveal cultural contradictions? - What traditions do you question? 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What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/no-one-diets-on-thanksgiving-what-we-re-really-talking-about-is-a/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [He who thanks but with the lips Thanks but in part; The full, the true Thanksgiving Comes from the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-g-shedd/he-who-thanks-but-with-the-lips-thanks-but-in-part-the-full-the-true/) John G. Shedd > [Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving," and the words of John…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-t-purkiser/not-what-we-say-about-our-blessings-but-how-we-use-them-is-the-true-2/) [W. T. Purkiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-t-purkiser/) > [I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens . . . to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-do-therefore-invite-my-fellow-citizens-to-set-apart-and-observe-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“Pies mean Thanksgiving and Christmas and picnics.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-clarkson/pies-mean-thanksgiving-and-christmas-and-picnics/) [Janet Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-clarkson/) > [For flowers that bloom about our feet; For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet; For song of bird, and hum of bee; For all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/for-flowers-that-bloom-about-our-feet-for-tender-grass-so-fresh-so/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends... Feeling gratitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/for-each-new-morning-with-its-light-for-rest-and-shelter-of-the-night-2/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/gratitude-can-transform-common-days-into-thanksgivings/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [So once in every year we throng Upon a day apart, to praise the Lord with feast and song in thankfulness of heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-guiterman/so-once-in-every-year-we-throng-upon-a-day-apart-to-praise-the-lord/) [Arthur Guiterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-guiterman/) > [Thanksgiving is the day when you turn to another family member and say, 'How long has Mom been drinking like this?' My Mom, after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/thanksgiving-is-the-day-when-you-turn-to-another-family-member-and/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [You can tell you ate too much for Thanksgiving when you have to let your bathrobe out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/you-can-tell-you-ate-too-much-for-thanksgiving-when-you-have-to-let/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) ## More by Erma Bombeck > [Cats invented self-esteem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/cats-invented-self-esteem/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [To my way of thinking, the American family started to decline when parents began to communicate with their children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/to-my-way-of-thinking-the-american-family-started-to-decline-when/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [The woman who says, 'My kids are all speaking to one another and they love us' is a psychopathic liar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/the-woman-who-says-my-kids-are-all-speaking-to-one-another-and-they/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [The term 'working mother' is redundant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/the-term-working-mother-is-redundant/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [To say, "Well, I write when I really get into it" is a bunch of bull. Put the paper in the typewriter, stare at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/to-say-well-i-write-when-i-really-get-into-it-is-a-bunch-of-bull-put/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [I used everything you gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/i-used-everything-you-gave-me/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Just think of all those women on the Titanic who said, 'No thank you' to desert that night. And for what?!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/just-think-of-all-those-women-on-the-titanic-who-said-no-thank-you-to/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [The mole rat is the only rodent born without a fur coat. With a good lawyer, someone would pay for that little oversight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/the-mole-rat-is-the-only-rodent-born-without-a-fur-coat-with-a-good/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [God created man, but I could do better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/god-created-man-but-i-could-do-better/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [If the nest is truly empty, who owns all this junk?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/if-the-nest-is-truly-empty-who-owns-all-this-junk/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Housework, if it is done properly, can cause brain damage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/housework-if-it-is-done-properly-can-cause-brain-damage/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Making coffee has become the great compromise of the decade. It's the only thing "real" men do that doesn't seem to threaten their masculinity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/making-coffee-has-become-the-great-compromise-of-the-decade-it-s-the/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [I have a friend who lives by a three-word philosophy: Seize the Moment. Just possibly, she may be the wisest woman on this planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/i-have-a-friend-who-lives-by-a-three-word-philosophy-seize-the-moment/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/when-i-stand-before-god-at-the-end-of-my-life-i-would-hope-that-i/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Before we sent kids to computer camps and told them they were having a good time, there was imagination among the human species.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/before-we-sent-kids-to-computer-camps-and-told-them-they-were-having/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) [Explore all 372 Erma Bombeck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) ## More Christian thanksgiving quotes > [WHEREAS it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/whereas-it-is-the-duty-of-all-nations-to-acknowledge-the-providence/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Foolish talking and jesting are not the ways in which Christian cheerfulness should express itself, but rather "giving of thanks" (Eph. 5:4). Religion is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hodge/foolish-talking-and-jesting-are-not-the-ways-in-which-christian/) [Charles Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hodge/) > [It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/it-is-the-duty-of-all-nations-to-acknowledge-the-providence-of-2/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/to-be-grateful-is-to-recognize-the-love-of-god-in-everything/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [A sensible thanksgiving for mercies received is a mighty prayer in the Spirit of God. It prevails with Him unspeakably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/a-sensible-thanksgiving-for-mercies-received-is-a-mighty-prayer-in/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [You know that just before that first Thanksgiving dinner there was one wise, old Native American woman saying, Don't feed them. If you feed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-brody/you-know-that-just-before-that-first-thanksgiving-dinner-there-was/) Dylan Brody > [But see, in our open clearings, how golden the melons lie; Enrich them with sweets and spices, and give us the pumpkin-pie!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-junkin-preston/but-see-in-our-open-clearings-how-golden-the-melons-lie-enrich-them/) [Margaret Junkin Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-junkin-preston/) > [Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/gratitude-as-a-discipline-involves-a-conscious-choice-i-can-choose-to/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/how-can-god-entrust-great-things-to-one-who-will-not-thankfully/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-have-been-the-recipients-of-the-choicest-bounties-of-heaven-we-2/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Thou that hast given so much to me give me one thing more, a grateful heart: not thankful when it pleaseth me, as if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/thou-that-hast-given-so-much-to-me-give-me-one-thing-more-a-grateful/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is good, because it is good; if bad, because it works in us patience,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/we-ought-to-give-thanks-for-all-fortune-if-it-is-good-because-it-is/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Gratitude can turn a meal into a feast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-beattie/gratitude-can-turn-a-meal-into-a-feast/) [Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/) > [Houses of Congress have . . . requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/houses-of-congress-have-requested-me-to-recommend-to-the-people-of/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [It must be an odd feeling to be thankful to nobody in particular. Christians in public institutions often see this odd thing happening on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelius-plantinga/it-must-be-an-odd-feeling-to-be-thankful-to-nobody-in-particular/) [Cornelius Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga/) [Browse all 17 Christian thanksgiving quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-thanksgiving/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. 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