Is there any difference between talk something and talk about something? (For example, 'talk politics' and 'talk about politics'.)
Note, I'm talking about instances when the object is some topic, not what is being said (so, 'talk nonsense' and similar is not a matter of this question)
Best Answer
In most contexts, there is no difference. "Lets talk [x]" is an informal, colloquial abbreviation for "let's talk about [x]".
There is something of a difference though - the shorter "lets talk [x]" can imply things that the other does not. For example, "let's talk salary", following a discussion about potential employment, is really like saying "tell me what you are offering me as a salary". Talking "about" something is really just naming the subject, and is not always so pointed.
I would also note that I believe it is more common in American English than British English, although it is used.