JIVE TALK
What do Cats and Jazz Have in Common? 10 Jive Words Explained.
Published on June 10, 2024
Image: Chris Bair
Are you a cool cat? Or a groovy alligator? The Age of Jazz had a vast cultural influence on both American music and culture, but one of its most curious aspects was "jive talk," the quirky jargon it birthed.
Largely influenced by jazz singer Cab Calloway - who authored at least two dictionaries on jive talk, the jazz-inspired 1930s Harlem vernacular permeated our culture and gave us popular modern words such as "cool" or "hipster." Join us and dive into the strange world of jive talk with these 10 hip phrases that defined the scene.
Dig it
Image: Billy Freeman
Back in the day, "dig it" wasn't just about enjoying something - it was about feeling it deep in your bones. One of the many expressions that originated in 1930s jazz circles and seamlessly integrated into mainstream American English, this phrase encapsulated the essence of jazz appreciation, where listeners are urged to immerse themselves fully into both music and scene.
Cat
Image: Michael Sum
In jazz speak, a "cat" wasn't just a furry friend - it was a word that could be used for anyone involved with the jazz scene, but typically reserved for stellar musicians adept at improvisation and who remained chill under pressure.
While the exact origin of the term is unknown, some believe it derived from the West African Wolof language word for singer, "katt." A simpler alternative would be that jazz musicians usually hung out until late at night, just like real cats.
Groovy
Image: Brittani Burns
If something is groovy, it is more than just good - it is the epitome of cool. While today we primarily associate "groovy" with the 1960s hippie counterculture, its roots trace back to the jazz era of the 1920s. The term is thought to have emerged both from the "grooves" of vinyl records and the repetitive patterns of popular music of that time.
Hipster
Image: Ben Eaton
Before the term was co-opted by mainstream culture, the term "hipster" was used to refer to jazz fans and musicians. The word was derived from the slang term "hep," meaning "up to date." Hipsters in the 1920s were avant-garde tastemakers, pushing boundaries with their style, music, and way of life.
The term was later associated with hip-hugging pants in the 1960s, and after that, it didn’t reappear until the 90s, used to characterize the educated bohemian youth living in gentrified neighborhoods.
Scat
Image: Kobe Subramaniam
"Scat" was a vocal improvisation technique popularized by jazz singers like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. It involved singing nonsense syllables in rhythm, showcasing the singer’s talent while adding a playful dimension to the music.
While the precise origin of the term remains uncertain, some speculate it was derived from a Louis Armstrong recording where he spontaneously sang a bunch of nonsense words that happened to be something like "scat-a-lee-dat."
Chops
Image: Gabriel Gurrola
In jazz lingo, having "chops" means having some serious musical skills. However, the term is far older than that, and it used to refer to the jaws (both of a man or an animal).
Eventually, it became a synonym for the power of a jazz trumpeter’s "embouchure"(meaning the way in which a brass player applies the mouth to the mouthpiece of its instrument), and from there, it quickly evolved into a more general term for a musician’s skill.
Cooking
Image: Johnathan Macedo
"Cooking," as a positive term in reference to music, seamlessly transitioned into our general English vocabulary while retaining much of its original meaning. In the jazz era, when the music was "cooking," it meant that the band was sizzling with energy and intensity.
Even today, we continue to use it similarly: when something is "cooking," it signifies improvement, progress, or momentum.
Gig
Image: John Matychuk
Long before it became a ubiquitous term for any temporary job, a "gig" was a jazz musician's bread and butter.
Short for "engagement," the term originally referred to a live musical performance. Musicians often lived gig to gig, meaning that their livelihood depended on performing in order to afford their next meal.
Jam Session
Image: Viktor SOLOMONIK
For jazz musicians, a "jam session" wasn't just a casual get-together - it was more of a sacred ritual of musical communion. These gatherings often took place in community centers or speakeasies, after musicians finished their regular paying gigs.
Jam sessions provided a place for experimentation and artistic freedom, where musicians would not have to conform to an audience and could exchange new ideas, but also often attracted non-musician fans eager to witness their musical idols in all their splendor.
Cool
Image: Thom Holmes
Before it became one of the most popular slang words in the English language, "cool" originated within the jazz community of the 1940s. In the jazz lexicon, "cool" transcended its literal meaning as a temperature and instead embodied a state of mind.
Coolness was synonymous with maintaining composure, staying ahead of the curve, and emanating an effortless aura of sophistication and style, mirroring the relaxed vibe that jazz music sought to evoke.
