The news talk show, founded by a Turkish-American, that you are familiar with and link to is actually meant to be a humorous reference to the idiomatic usage. The idiomatic usage used to be well known, but these days people are more familiar with the news show and the idiomatic usage is somewhat archaic now. It's not a negative reference, more a respectful acknowledgement of toughness and persistence - one doesn't want to mess with young turkish warriors unless they are ready to face a competent adversary.