Hairabedian claimed that in the reported cases “the common denominator is that there was no physical violence but an exchange of high-sounding words.”

Another definition found in the 1889 "Americanisms, Old & New" had "talking turkey" meaning "To use high-sounding words, when plain English would do equally well or better."

We can make available all these letters with high-sounding rhetoric about how they were going to protect the consumer.

Sometimes it is cloaked in vague high-sounding language about objectivity and balance, requiring a careful analysis of the motives of the sponsors and supporters.

Sarris began his Village Voice review with a dig: “A covey of high-flying, high-sounding critics have managed to save ‘Pretty Poison’ from a fate worse than death in the fleshpots of 42nd Street.”