Dictionary

ginger talk en · NOUN

Etymology

From the idea of gingering a horse to make it seem more lively, or adding ginger to spice up a food or beverage; compare ginger group. Perhaps coined by Worthington C. Holman, author of Ginger Talks: The Talks of a Sales Manager to His Men (1905).

Meanings

1. (US, countable, obsolete, uncountable) A speech, particularly one given to salespeople, aimed at inspiring and boosting confidence.
   • […] the psychology of salesmanship, when it does not degenerate into a collection of bromidic maxims or a brisk and stimulating bit of “ginger talk,” consists for the most part of the general facts of human nature […] 1917, Harry L. Hollingworth and A. T. Poffenberger, chapter 13, in Applied Psychology, page 246:
   • Come on fellows, let’s work up some real genuine enthusiasm and all boost together for the snappiest dinner yet! Elegant eats, short ginger-talks and memories shared together of the brightest, gladdest days of life. 1922, Sinclair Lewis, chapter 15, in Babbitt, page 191:
   • Thats’ Art’s number one “Ginger Talk,” honey. He gives it to the salesmen every Monday. 1954, Eleanor Bayer and Leo Bayer, Third Best Sport, page 21:

Forms

Relateds

pep talk