[Dixielandjazz] Jazz slang

[G. William Oakley]

Hi Bill:

You might be interested in acquiring a copy of a book I have called "A Jazz
Lexicon" by Robert S. Gold.  It was published in 1964 by Alfred A. Knopf and
is an extensive compilation of jazz slang.  I have no idea of its
availability but it is certainly an interesting read.  The acknowledgements
include such luminaries as Eubie Blake, Danny Barker, Zutty Singleton, Dan
Morgenstern, etc.
Best,
Bill
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Gunter" <jazzboard at hotmail.com>
To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 5:15 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Jazz slang


> Hi listmates,
>
> Slang, from a linguistic point of view, is fascinating stuff. I'm an
> ex-English teacher so when I hear slang I often start thinking more about
> the vocabulary than the subject at hand. I know, it's a distraction, but
> that's the curse of being a pedant!
>
> Jazz slang has altered over the years from the time I first heard the word
> "hep cat" to more contemporary "hip dude."
>
> We refer to our music as either "hot" or "cool" and bandy these terms
about
> as if we think we're actually saying something specific to somebody else.
>
> Here's an off hand list of slang expressions in our music . . . do you
"dig"
> them all?
>
> hep
> hip
> cool
> hot
> dig
> blow (yeah, dude, I blow violin!).
> clam
> man
> cat
> aligator
> etc.
> etc.
> etc.
>
> I'd like to collect a list of ancient and contemporary slang terms used in
> our genre. Take a minute and jot some down and I'll add them to my list.
>
> After I compile a respectable list I'll attempt definitions and identify
> parts of speech and, if possible, the origins of the words or phrases.
It's
> possible I could cull and article out of this for some jazz publication
such
> as the American Rag or the Mississippi Rag.
>
> On the other hand, this could be a massive waste of time.
>
> But never forget . . . "Any time wasted is time well spent!"
>
> Respectfully submitted,
>
> Bill "jazzbo" Gunter
> jazzboard at hotmail.com
>
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