Dictionary of Swing (Jive Talk)

by **Hepcat Daddy-O** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 6:13 pm

DICTIONARY OF SWING
INTRODUCTION TO THE "DICTIONARY OF SWING"
FROM THE BIG BOOK OF SWING BY BILL TREADWELL

(A selection of uptown and downtown jive talk drawn from the compilations of Dan Burley, Cab Calloway and Bill Treadwell . Like all languages it is not just a question of understanding individual words but comprehending them when they are put together in regular speech! Nevertheless the amazing thing is how many of these words have become Standard English, and are even used for academic purposes!)

Swing talk is a loose, vivid, living language. It does not and cannot stand still; it partakes of the dynamics of our time. New words are forever entering the fold, old words departing or changing. Thrown up out of this flux are the following meanings of the moment. Take them for what they are: words, twisting and turning, seeking to find fresh, unique modes of expression that will embody the nuance and spirit of a modern, tradition-smashing music.

A
Ace - One-dollar bill
Alligator - Swing fan, one who is hep
Alreet - O.K.
Apple - Harlem, the main destination
Are Your Boots Laced? - Do you understand?
Armstrong - High trumpet note

B
Bait Minor - Youngster
Barrelhouse - Loud improvised music
Bait Romantic - Female (old)
Batting Zero-Zero - Can't get anywhere with a girl
Battle - Ugly lass (very)
Beat Deal - No good, not worth considering
Beat It Out - Play "hot" music with plenty of rhythm in the background
Beat Your Gums - Talk too much
Beef - Argue
Big Deal - Important transaction for money
Blue - A very dark person
Boogie-Woogie - Swing with emphasis on melodic bass patterns with treble improvisations.
Bozo - Man
Brainstorm - Quick thought
Break - Signal for soloist to sound off
Break it up - To win applause or stop the show
Bubble dancing - Washing dishes
Button Shoes - Old-fashioned
Buzz - To kiss

C
Canary - Girl singer
Cat - Swing musician
Character - Person who attracts attention by his actions
Chick - Female (young)
Chirper - Female vocalist
Cindy - Good looking chick with a fine figure
Clambake - Jam session
C-Note - Hundred dollar bill
Collar that Jive? - Do you understand?
Collar the Swing - Understand swing and swing terms
Cook Up a Storm - Plan some kind of trouble or an affair
Cool - Everything's fine
Cool Calm - Neatly dressed
Cop a Nod - Get some sleep
Creep - Annoying person
Crum - Icky
Cutie - Slick chick
Cut Rate - Cheap Swing musician

D
Dame - Girl
Dead - Not lively
Dead Pigeon - Person who is finished, not liked
Dead President - Dollar bill
Deuce - Two-dollar bill or two singles
Dicty - An honourable person, a good sport
Dig - To understand
Dig down the righteous lane - Walk down street
Doghouse - String bass
Downbeat - Throb of music, real beat
Down the Alley - Groovy
Drag - A dance
Drape - Suit of clothes
Dribble - Talk without sense
Duke - Hand or fist
Duchess - A gal pal

E
Early - Evening
Earth pads - Feet
Easy - Loads of money
Enamel - Teeth
Evil - Nasty

F
Far Gone - The very worst
Fin - Five-dollar bill or equivalent
Fine Thing - Good-looking girl
Fish - Tell an untruth
Fishing For Food - Gossiping
Foxy - Smart, shrewd
Frame - Body build
Frantic Chick - Girl who always wants a good time
From Hunger - Hammy, stale
Front - Appearance
Frozen - Broke, lacking things you need
Funkey - Smell of old perspiration, or other bodily odours.

G
Gabriel - Trumpet player
Gate - Young fellow
Get Me - Listen to me, come and catch the act
Getting High - Getting drunk
Give it To Me Easy - Don't exaggerate
Give Me Some Skin - Touch or shake hands
Glims - Eyes
Goodman - A clarinet player
Got To Rap At Four - Have a date
Gravy - Extra money; profits
Groove Swell.- Good to hear
Gum Beating - Talking
Gutbucket - Blues (way low-down)
Guzzlin' - Drinking an alcoholic beverage

H
Hay - Small change
Hep Swing - Wise
Hide Beater - Drummer
High - Feeling good
Hipped to - Wise
Hipped to the Jive - Know the latest
Hipped to the Tip - Understand everything
Hobo Cocktail - Water
Hop - Dance
Hopping - Dancing
Hot - Loud with solid beat
Hot Lick - Torrid musical interlude, fast tempo
House of Knowledge - School
Hunk - Very masculine male

I
I Ain't Nowhere - I'm not doing anything
I Am Going To Knock Me a Scarf - I am going to eat
Icky - One who can't catch on to Swing or Swing terms
I Dug Your Scribe - I read your letter
Ig - Ignore
In - An introduction
In a Jiffy - In a hurry
In the Groove - Everything going O.K.

J
Jam - Ad-lib music, improvisation
Jam Pad - Rehearsal studio
Jazzy - Corny
Jelly On the cuff - For free
Jersey Highball - Milk
Jit - Five-cent piece
Jitterbug - Swing addict
Jive - Short for 'Harlem jive talk', to kid, an imitation.
Jiver - A flatterer
Joint - Entertainment place or living quarters
Jump - Music is "leaping," musicians are "riding"

K
Kale - Paper money
Keep Cool - Stay in your place
Kick - Thrill
Kill - Big winning
Killer-Diller - Ladies Man
Knock - Give it to me
Knock It Off - When you don't believe something is true
Knocked Out - Engrossed by the music to the point of being oblivious to everything else.
Knowledge Box - Head
Krupa - Hot drummer

L
Lammed - Kissing
Lay - Tell, express
Lay it on Me - Give it to me
Latch On - Grab on to
Let's Roll - Let's ride the automobile
Liberty - A quarter
Lick - Musical phrase or interlude
Licorice Stick - Clarinet
Line - Gab, boasting, bragging
Locked Up - Exclusive use of.
Lombardo - Sweet music, schmaltz
Long Hair - Some one who is not into swing, prefers symphonic music. Piano player (older use)

M
Main - Stage or floor
Master Mind - Brilliant, teacher
Mush - To romance
Mellow - Smooth music, just right
Melted - Broke, beaten
Mess - Broken down
Meter - Rhythm
Mind in the Mud - Vulgar thoughts
Muggin' - Making funny faces, getting laughs, kissing
Murder - Great, sensational, colossal, to achieve perfection
My Last Heart Beat - Sweetheart

N
Name - Well known dance band
Nach - Of course, naturally
Necking - Kissing
Nickle - Five dollars, same as a fin
Nod - Tired feeling, sleepy, fatigued
Noggin' - Head

O
Off Beat - In-between beat in steady rhythm
Off Me - Don't annoy me
Oh Please - This is too much for me
Orchestration - Arrangement, symphony
Out of this World - Beyond description

P
Pad - Place to throw a party
Paper Man - Reads music only, cannot improvise.
Peck - Kiss
Peckin' - Dance style, jitterbug step
Pidgeon - Young chick
Platter - Record
Play Dead - Wait patiently
Pops - Male; also means Louis Armstrong
Prima - High trumpet note; scat singing
Pull Shoe Strings - Make a deal
Pump The Stump -Shake hands

Q
Queen - Frantic chick
Queer - Gay person, irresponsible

R
Rag - To play the blues and jazz
Rank - To find fault
Ready - O.K.
Real Gone - The very best
Real McCoy - The real thing
Red Gravy - Blood
Reet Fine - O.K.
Ride - To play or sing in Swing tempo
Riff - Lick
Riff Chord - Most unusual combination of notes, phrases or chords
Righteous - The very finest
Righteous Nod - Good sleep
Rock Me - Move me emotionally
Roscoe - Pistol
Ruff - Twenty-five cents, quarter
Rug Cutting - Dancing

S
Sad - Bad, poor
Sad Arrrangement - Poor instrumentation
Salty - Jealous
Satchmo - Louis Armstrong
Sawbones - Doctor
Sawbuck - Ten-dollar bill or equivalent
Scrap Iron - Whisky
Search Me? - How do I know?
Send - To move emotionally
Sender - One who plays music that sends you
Set - Group of musical selections
Sharp - Very neat
Signifying - Boasting, bragging, parading with style.
Skin - Drum head or handshake
Skin Beater - Drummer
Skin the Cat - Ride, brother, ride
Sky Piece - Hat
Slave - Work hard
Slay - To attract
Slay Me- Tell me more
Sleek - Smooth, easy
Sleezy - Going smoothly
Slick - Sharp
Solid - OK, swell, extra good
Solid Sender - Extra good sender
S.P. - Secret passion
Spares - Friends
Spouting - Talking too much
Square - Not versed in Swing, puritanical
Stick - Dope
Strictly My Brand - My favourite
Stuck On - Infatuated with

T
Take It Easy - Take care, be careful
Take Off - Do a solo
That's Great - That's all right
Threads - Suit, main clothes for going out.
Timber - Outburst of admiration
That Man's Here - The Law or anyone of authority has arrived
Togged Out - Well-dressed
Too Much - Getting beyond belief
Tooth Booth - Dentist's office
Tore Your Pants - Committed a fau pas

U
Unhep - Unfamiliar with Swing and Swing terms
Up Beat - Comes after the main beat
Uncle Sam's Pets - Soldiers

V
Value - Giving music what it takes to put it over

W
Warbler - Girl singer
What's Your Song, King Kong? - How do you feel?
Wised Up - Tough examination
Wren - Small, fickle young girl
Wrong Riff - Bad lick, speaking at wrong time

Y
Yeah. Man! - Exclamation
Yes, indeed - Yes
Yoke - Collar; high neckline
You don't Say - Expression of surprise

Z
Ziggerboo - A nutty, crazy person
Zoot Suit - Over-draped suit
Zooty - Dressed in zoot suit, in extreme clothing

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql-1_uolBF4[/youtube]

by **JouJoux** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:03 pm

thank you so much, Hep!
there's another site that Luiz found these other ones:

JAZZ SLANGS

A

ab-so-lute-ly: affirmative
all wet: incorrect
And how!: I strongly agree!
ankle: to walk, i.e.. "Let's ankle!"
apple sauce: flattery, nonsense, i.e.. "Aw, applesauce!"
Attaboy!: well done!; also, Attagirl!

B

baby: sweetheart. Also denotes something of high value or respect.
baby grand: heavily built man (fat, husky)
baby vamp: an attractive or popular female, student.
balled up: confused, messed up.
baloney: Nonsense!
Bank's closed.: no kissing or making out ie. "Sorry, mac, bank's closed."
bearcat: a hot-blooded or blazing hot girl
beat it: scram, get lost.
beat one's gums: trivial talk
bee's knee's: terrific; a fad expression. Dozens of "animal anatomy" variations existed: elephant's eyebrows, gnat's whistle, eel's hips, etc.
beef: a complaint or to complain.
beeswax: business, i.e. "None of your beeswax." Student.
bell bottom: a sailor
bent: drunk
berries: (1) perfect (2) money
big cheese: important person
big six: a strong man; from auto advertising, for the new and powerful six cylinder engines.
bimbo: a tough guy
bird: general term for a man or woman, sometimes meaning "odd," i.e. "What a funny old bird."
blotto (1930 at the latest): drunk, especially to an extreme
blow: (1) a crazy party (2) to leave
bohunk: a derogatory name for an Eastern European immigrant. Out of use by 1930, except in certain anti-immigrant circles, like the KKK.
bootleg: illeagal liquor
breezer (1925): a convertable car
bubs: breasts
bug-eyed Betty (1927): an unattractive girl, student.
bull: (1) a policeman or law-enforcement official, including FBI. (2) nonesense, bullshit (3) to chat idly, to exaggerate
bump off: to kill
bum's rush, the: ejection by force from an establishment
bunny (1925): a term of endearment applied to the lost, confused, etc. Often coupled with "poor little."
bus: any old or worn out car.
bushwa: a euphemism for "bullshit"
Butt me.: I'll take a cigarette.

C

cake-eater: a lady's man
caper: a criminal act or robbery.
cat's meow: great, also "cat's pajamas" and "cat's whiskers"
cash: a kiss
Cash or check?: Do we kiss now or later?
cast a kitten: to have a fit. Used in both humorous and serious situations. i.e. "Stop tickling me or I'll cast a kitten!" Also, "have kittens."
chassis (1930): the female body
cheaters: eye glasses
check: Kiss me later.
chewing gum: double-speak, or ambiguous talk.
choice bit of calico: attractive female, student.
chopper: a Thompson Sub-Machine Gun, due to the damage its heavy .45 caliber rounds did to the human body.
chunk of lead: an unnattractive female, student.
ciggy: cigarette
clam: a dollar
coffin varnish: bootleg liquor, often poisonous.
copacetic: excellent
crasher: a person who attends a party uninvited
crush: infatuation
cuddler: one who likes to make out

D

daddy: a young woman's boyfriend or lover, especially if he's rich.
daddy-o: a term of address; strictly an African-American term.
dame: a female. Did not gain widespread use until the 1930's.
dapper: a Flapper's dad
darb: a great person or thing. "That movie was darb."
dead soldier: an empty beer bottle.
deb: a debutant.
dewdropper: a young man who sleeps all day and doesn't have a job
dick: a private investigator. Coined around 1900, the term finds major recognition in the 20's.
dinge: a derogatory term for an African-American. Out of use by 1930.
dogs: feet
doll: an attractive woman.
dolled up: dressed up
don't know from nothing: doesn't have any information
don't take any wooden nickels: don't do anything stupid.
dope: drugs, esp. cocaine or opium.
doublecross: to cheat, stab in the back.
dough: money
drugstore cowboy: A well-dressed man who loiters in public areas trying to pick up women.
dry up: shut up, get lost
ducky: very good
dumb Dora: an absolute idiot, a dumbbell, especially a woman; flapper.

E

earful: enough
edge: intoxication, a buzz. i.e. "I've got an edge."
egg: a person who lives the big life
Ethel: an effeminate male.

F

face stretcher: an old woman trying to look young
fag: a cigarette. Also, starting around 1920, a homosexual.
fella: fellow. As common in its day as "man," "dude," or "guy" is today. "That John sure is a swell fella."
fire extinguisher: a chaperone
fish: (1) a college freshman (2) a first timer in prison
flat tire: a bore
flivver: a Model T; after 1928, also could mean any broken down car.
floorflusher: an insatiable dancer
flour lover: a girl with too much face powder
fly boy: a glamorous term for an aviator
For crying out loud!: same usage as today
four-flusher: a person who feigns wealth while mooching off others.
fried: drunk
futz: a euphemism for "fuck." i.e. "Don't futz around."

G

gams (1930): legs
gatecrasher: see "crasher"
gay: happy or lively; no connection to homosexuality. See "fag."
Get Hot! Get Hot!: encouragement for a hot dancer doing her thing
get-up (1930): an outfit.
get a wiggle on: get a move on, get going
get in a lather: get worked up, angry
giggle water: booze
gigolo: dancing partner
gimp: cripple; one who walks with a limp. Gangster Dion O’Bannion was called Gimpy due to his noticeable limp.
gin mill: a seller of hard liquor; a cheap speakeasy
glad rags: "going out on the town" clothes
go chase yourself: get lost, scram.
gold-digger (1925): a woman who pursues men for their money.
goods, the: (1) the right material, or a person who has it (2) the facts, the truth, i.e. "Make sure the cops don't get the goods on you."
goof: (1) a stupid or bumbling person, (2) a boyfriend, flapper.
goofy: in love
grummy: depressed
grungy: envious

H

hair of the dog (1925): a shot of alcohol.
half seas over: drunk, also "half under."
handcuff: engagement ring
hard-boiled: tough, as in, a tough guy, ie: "he sure is hard-boiled!"
harp: an Irishman
hayburner: (1) a gas guzzling car (2) a horse one loses money on
heavy sugar (1929): a lot of money
heebie-jeebies (1926): "the shakes," named after a hit song.
heeler: a poor dancer
high hat: a snob.
hip to the jive: cool, trendy
hit on all sixes: to perform 100 per cent; as "hitting on all six cylinders"; perhaps a more common variation in these days of four cylinder engines was "hit on all fours". See "big six".
hooch: booze
hood (late 20s): hoodlum
hooey: bullshit, nonsense. Very popular from 1925 to 1930, used somewhat thereafter.
hop: (1) opiate or marijuana (2) a teen party or dance
hope chest: pack of cigarettes
hopped up: under the influence of drugs
Hot dawg!: Great!; also: "Hot socks!" Rarely spelled as shown outside of flapper circles until popularized by 1940s comic strips.
hot sketch: a card or cut-up

I

"I have to go see a man about a dog.": "I've got to leave now," often meaning to go buy whiskey.
icy mitt: rejection
insured: engaged
iron (1925): a motorcycle, among motorcycle enthusiasts
iron one’s shoelaces: to go to the restroom
ish kabibble (1925): a retort meaning "I should care." Was the name of a musician in the Kay Kayser Orchestra of the 1930s.

J

jack: money
Jake: great, ie. "Everything's Jake."
Jalopy: a dumpy old car
Jane: any female
java: coffee
jeepers creepers: "Jesus Christ!"
jerk soda: to dispense soda from a tap; thus, "soda jerk"
jigaboo: a derogatory term for an African-American
jitney: a car employed as a private bus. Fare was usually five-cents; also called a "nickel."
joe: coffee
Joe Brooks: a perfectly dressed person; student.
john: a toilet
joint: establishment
juice joint: a speakeasy

K

kale: money
keen: appealing
kike: a derogatory term for a Jewish person
killjoy: a solemn person
knock up: to make pregnant
know one's onions: to know one's business or what one is talking about

L

lay off: cut the crap
left holding the bag: (1) to be cheated out of one's fair share (2) to be blamed for something
let George do it: a work evading phrase
level with me: be honest
limey: a British soldier or citizen, from World War I
line: a false story, as in "to feed one a line."
live wire: a lively person
lollapalooza (1930): a humdinger
lollygagger: (1) a young man who enjoys making out (2) an idle person

M

manacle: wedding ring
mazuma: money
Mick: a derogatory term for Irishmen
milquetoast (1924): a very timid person; from the comic book character Casper Milquetoast, a hen-pecked male.
mind your potatoes: mind your own business.
mooch: to leave
moonshine: homemade whiskey
mop: a handkerchief
munitions: face powder

N

neck: to kiss passionately
necker: a girl who wraps her arms around her boyfriend's neck.
nifty: great, excellent
noodle juice: tea
nookie: sex
Not so good!: I personally disapprove.
"Now you're on the trolley!": Now you've got it, now you're right.

O

ofay: a commonly used Black expression for Whites
off one's nuts: crazy
Oh yeah!: I doubt it!
old boy: a male term of address, used in conversation with other males. Denoted acceptance in a social environment. Also "old man" "old fruit." "How's everything old boy?"
Oliver Twist: a skilled dancer
on a toot: a drinking binge
on the lam: fleeing from police
on the level: legitimate, honest
on the up and up: on the level
orchid: an expensive item
ossified: drunk
owl: a person who's out late

P

palooka: (1) a below-average or average boxer (2) a social outsider, from the comic strip character Joe Palooka, who came from humble ethnic roots
panic: to produce a big reaction from one's audience
panther sweat (1925): whiskey
percolate: (1) to boil over (2) As of 1925, to run smoothly; "perk"
pet: necking, only more; making out
petting pantry: movie theater
petting party: one or more couples making out in a room or auto
piffle: baloney
piker: (1) a cheapskate (2) a coward
pill: (1) a teacher (2) an unlikable person
pinch: to arrest. Pinched: to be arrested.
pinko: liberal
pipe down: stop talking
prom-trotter: a student who attends all school social functions
pos-i-lute-ly: affirmative, also "pos-i-tive-ly"
punch the bag: small talk
putting on the ritz: after the Ritz Hotel in Paris (and its namesake Caesar Ritz); doing something in high style. Also "ritzy."

Q

quiff: a slut or cheap prostitute

R

rag-a-muffin: a dirty or disheveled individual
rain pitchforks: a downpour
razz: to make fun of
Real McCoy: a genuine item
regular: normal, typical, average; "Regular fella."
Reuben: an unsophisticated country bumpkin. Also "rube"
Rhatz!: How disappointing!
rub: a student dance party
rubes: money or dollars
rummy: a drunken bum

S

sap: a fool, an idiot. Very common term in the 20s.
says you: a reaction of disbelief
scratch: money
screaming meemies: the shakes
screw: get lost, get out, etc. Occasionally, in pre 1930 talkies (such as The Broadway Melody) screw is used to tell a character to leave. One film features the line "Go on, go on -- screw!"
screwy: crazy; "You're screwy!"
sheba: one's girlfriend
sheik: one's boyfriend
shiv: a knife
simolean: a dollar
sinker: a doughnut
sitting pretty: in a prime position
skirt: an attractive female
smarty: a cute flapper
smoke-eater: a smoker
smudger: a close dancer
sockdollager: an action having a great impact
so's your old man: a reply of irritation
spade: yet another derogatory term for an African-American
speakeasy: a bar selling illeagal liquor
spill: to talk
splifficated: drunk
spoon: to neck, or at least talk of love
static: (1) empty talk (2) conflicting opinion
stilts: legs
struggle: modern dance
stuck on: in love, student.
sugar daddy: older boyfriend who showers girlfriend with gifts in exchange for sex
swanky: (1) good (2) elegant
swell: (1) good (2) a high class person

T

take someone for a ride: to take someone to a deserted location and murder them.
tasty: appealing
teenager: not a common term until 1930; before then, the term was "young adults."
tell it to Sweeney: tell it to someone who'll believe it.
tight: attractive
Tin Pan Alley: the music industry in New York, located between 48th and 52nd Streets
tomato: a "ripe" female
torpedo: a hired thug or hitman

U

unreal: special
upchuck: to vomit
upstage: snobby

V

vamp: (1) a seducer of men, an aggressive flirt (2) to seduce
voot: money

W

water-proof: a face that doesn't require make-up
wet blanket: see Killjoy
wife: dorm roomate, student.
What's eating you?: What's wrong?
whoopee: wild fun
Woof! Woof!: ridicule

Y

You slay me!: That's funny!

Z

zozzled: drunk[/b]