Jive:thejargonofhipsters

HepsterDictionaryofJive

CommonlyusedJiveterms&phrases
publishedbyCabCallowaycirca1939
[A][B][C][D][F][GN][OZ]
Ain'tcomingonthattab(phrase):won'taccept
theproposition.Usuallyabbr.to"Iain't
coming."
Alligator(n):jitterbug.
Apple(n):thebigtown,themainstem,Harlem.

Armstrongs(n):musicalnotesintheupper
register,hightrumpetnotes.
Barbecue(n):thegirlfriend,abeauty
Barrelhouse(adj):freeandeasy.
Battle(n):averyhomelygirl,acrone.
Beat(adj):(1)tired,exhausted.Example,"You
lookbeat"or"Ifeelbeat."(2)lackinganything.
Ex,"Iambeatformycash","Iambeattomy
socks"(lackingeverything).
Beatitout(v):playithot,emphasizethe
rhythm.
Beatup(adj):sad,uncomplimentary,tired.
Beatupthechops(orthegums)(v):totalk,
converse,beloquacious.
Beef(v):tosay,tostate.Example,"Hebeefedto
methat,etc."
BellyFiddle(n):guitar.

Bible(n):thegospeltruth.Example,"It'sthe
bible!"
Black(n):night.
Blackandtan(n):darkandlightcoloredfolks.
Notcoloredandwhitefolksaserroneously
assumed.
Blewtheirwigs(adj):excitedwithenthusiasm,
gonecrazy.
Blip(n):somethingverygood.Example,"That's
ablip";"She'sablip."
Blowthetop(v):tobeovercomewithemotion
(delight).Example,"You'llblowyourtopwhen
youhearthisone."
Boogiewoogie(n):harmonywithaccented
bass.
Boot(v):togive.Example,"Bootmethat
glove."
Breakitup(v):towinapplause,tostopthe
show.

Bree(n):girl.
Bright(n):day.
Brightnin'(n):daybreak.
Bringdown((1)n(2)v):(1)something
depressing.Example,"That'sabringdown."(2)
Example,"Thatbringsmedown."
Buddyghee(n):fellow.
Bustyourconk(v):applyyourselfdiligently,
breakyourneck.
Canary(n):girlvocalist.
Capped(v):outdone,surpassed.
Cat(n):musicianinswingband.
Chick(n):girl.
Chime(n):hour.Example,"Igotinatsix
chimes."
Clambake(n):adlibsession,everymanfor
himself,ajamsessionnotinthegroove.

Chirp(n):femalesinger.
Cogs(n):sunglasses.
Collar(v):toget,toobtain,tocomprehend.
Example,"Igottacollarmesomefood";"Do
youcollarthisjive?"
Comeagain(v):tryitover,dobetterthanyou
aredoing,Idon'tunderstandyou.
Comesonlikegangbusters(orliketestpilot)
(v):plays,sings,ordancesinaterrificmanner,
parexcellenceinanydepartment.Sometimes
abbr.to"Thatsingerreallycomeson!"
Cop(v):toget,toobtain(seecollar;knock).
Corny(adj):oldfashioned,stale.
Creepsoutliketheshadow(v):"comeson,"
butinsmooth,suave,sophisticatedmanner.
Crumbcrushers(n):teeth.
Cubby(n):room,flat,home.

Cups(n):sleep.Example,"Igottacatchsome
cups."
Cutout(v):toleave,todepart.Example,"It's
timetocutout";"Icutoutfromthejointinearly
bright."
Cutrate(n):alow,cheapperson.Example,
"Don'tplaymecutrate,Jack!"
Dicty(adj):highclass,nifty,smart.
Dig(v):(1)meet.Example,"I'llplantyounow
anddigyoulater."(2)look,see.Example,"Dig
thechickonyourleftduke."(3)comprehend,
understand.Example,"Doyoudigthisjive?"
Dim(n):evening.
Dimenote(n):tendollarbill.
Doghouse(n):bassfiddle.
Domi(n):ordinaryplacetolivein.Example,"I
liveinarighteousdome."

Doss(n):sleep.Example,"I'malittlebeatfor
mydoss."
Downwithit(adj):throughwithit.
Drape(n):suitofclothes,dress,costume.
Dreamers(n):bedcovers,blankets.
Drygoods(n):sameasdrape.
Duke(n):hand,mitt.
Dutchess(n):girl.
Earlyblack(n):evening
Earlybright(n):morning.
Evil(adj):inillhumor,inanastytemper.
Fallout(v):tobeovercomewithemotion.
Example,"Thecatsfelloutwhenhetookthat
solo."
Fewsandtwo(n):moneyorcashinsmall
quantity.

Final(v):toleave,togohome.Example,"I
finaledtomypad"(wenttobed);"Wecoppeda
final"(wenthome).
Finedinner(n):agoodlookinggirl.
Focus(v):tolook,tosee.
Foxy(v):shrewd.
Frame(n):thebody.
Fraughtyissue(n):averysadmessage,a
deplorablestateofaffairs.
Freeby(n):nocharge,gratis.Example,"The
mealwasafreeby."
Friskingthewhiskers(v):whatthecatsdo
whentheyarewarmingupforaswingsession.
Frolicpad(n):placeofentertainment,theater,
nightclub.
Frompy(adj):afrompyqueenisabattleor
faust.
Front(n):asuitofclothes.

Fruiting(v):fickle,foolingaroundwithno
particularobject.
Fry(v):togotogethairstraightened.
[A][B][C][D][F][GN][OZ]
Jazzwasnotonlybuiltinthemindsofthegreat
ones, Jive:thejargonofhipsters
HepsterDictionaryofJive

CommonlyusedJiveterms&phrases
publishedbyCabCallowaycirca1939
[AF][G][H][J][K][L][OZ]
Gabriels(n):trumpetplayers.

Gammin'(adj):showingoff,flirtatious.
Gasser(n,adj):sensational.Example,"Whenit
comestodancing,she'sagasser."
Gate(n):amaleperson(asalutation),abbr.for
"gatemouth."
Getinthere(exclamation):gotowork,get
busy,makeithot,giveallyou'vegot.
Gimmesomeskin(v):shakehands.
GitBox(n):guitar.
Glims(n):theeyes.
Gotyourbootson:youknowwhatitisall
about,youareahepcat,youarewise.
Gotyourglasseson:youareritzyorsnooty,
youfailtorecognizeyourfriends,youareup
stage.
Gravy(n):profits.
Grease(v):toeat.

Groovy(adj):fine.Example,"Ifeelgroovy."
Groundgrippers(n):newshoes.
Growl(n):vibrantnotesfromatrumpet.
Gutbucket(adj):lowdownmusic.
Guzzlin'foam(v):drinkingbeer.
Hard(adj):fine,good.Example,"That'sahard
tieyou'rewearing."
Hardspiel(n):interestinglineoftalk.
Haveaball(v):toenjoyyourself,stagea
celebration.Example,"Ihadmyselfaballlast
night."
Hepcat(n):aguywhoknowsalltheanswers,
understandsjive.
Hidebeater(n):adrummer(seeskinbeater).
Hincty(adj):conceited,snooty.
Hip(adj):wise,sophisticated,anyonewith
bootson.Example,"She'sahipchick."

Homecooking(n):somethingverydinner(see
finedinner).
Hot(adj):musicallytorrid;beforeswing,tunes
werehotorbandswerehot.
Hummer(n):exceptionallygood.Example,
"Man,thatboyisahummer."
Hype(n,v):buildupforaloan,wooingagirl,
persuasivetalk.
Icky(n):onewhoisnothip,astupidperson,
can'tcollarthejive.
Igg(v):toignoresomeone.Example,"Don'tigg
me!)
Inthegroove(adj):perfect,nodeviation,down
thealley.
Jack(n):nameforallmalefriends(seegate;
pops).
Jam((1)n,(2)v):(1)improvisedswingmusic.
Example,"That'sswelljam."(2)toplaysuch
music.Example,"Thatcatsurelycanjam."

Jeff(n):apest,abore,anicky.
Jelly(n):anythingfree,onthehouse.
Jitterbug(n):aswingfan.
Jive(n):thejargonofhipsters.
Jointisjumping:theplaceislively,theclubis
leapingwithfun.
Jumpedinport(v):arrivedintown.
Kick(n):apocket.Example,"I'vegotfive
bucksinmykick."
Killme(v):showmeagoodtime,sendme.
Killerdiller(n):agreatthrill.
Knock(v):give.Example,"Knockmeakiss."
Kopasetic(adj):absolutelyokay,thetops.
Lamp(v):tosee,tolookat.
Lando'darkness(n):Harlem.
Lane(n):amale,usuallyanonprofessional.

Latchon(v):grab,takehold,getwiseto.
Laysomeiron(v):totapdance.Example,
"Jack,youreallylaidsomeironthatlastshow!"
Layyourracket(v):tojive,tosellanidea,to
promoteaproposition.
Leadsheet(n):atopcoat.
Leftraise(n):leftside.Example,"Digthechick
onyourleftraise."
Lickingthechops(v):seefriskingthe
whiskers.
Licks(n):hotmusicalphrases.
Lilywhites(n):bedsheets.
Line(n):cost,price,money.Example,"Whatis
thelineonthisdrape"(howmuchdoesthissuit
cost)?"Haveyougotthelineinthemouse"(do
youhavethecashinyourpocket)?Also,in
replying,allfiguresaredoubled.Example,"This
drapeislineforty"(thissuitcoststwenty
dollars).

Lockup(v):toacquiresomethingexclusively.
Example,"He'sgotthatchicklockedup";"I'm
gonnalockupthatdeal."
Mainkick(n):thestage.
Mainonthehitch(n):husband.
Mainqueen(n):favoritegirlfriend,sweetheart.
Maningray(n):thepostman.
Mashmeafin(command.):Giveme$5.
Mellow(adj):allright,fine.Example,"That's
mellow,Jack."
Meltedout(adj):broke.
Mess(n):somethinggood.Example,"Thatlast
drinkwasamess."
Meter(n):quarter,twentyfivecents.
Mezz(n):anythingsupreme,genuine.Example,
"thisisreallythemezz."
Mittpounding(n):applause.

Moojuice(n):milk.
Mouse(n):pocket.Example,"I'vegotameter
inthemouse."
Muggin'(v):making'emlaugh,puttingonthe
jive."Muggin'lightly,"lightstaccatoswing;
"muggin'heavy,"heavystaccatoswing.
Murder(n):somethingexcellentorterrific.
Example,"That'ssolidmurder,gate!"
Neigho,pops(phrase):Nothingdoing,pal.
Nicklette(n):automaticphonograph,musicbox.
Nickelnote(n):fivedollarbill.
Nixout(v):toeliminate,getridof.Example,"I
nixedthatchickoutlastweek";"Inixedmy
garments"(undressed).
Nod(n):sleep.Example,"IthinkI'lcopanod."
[AF][G][H][J][K][L][OZ]

"Myaudiencewasmylife.WhatIdid&howI
diditwasallformyaudience."CabCalloway
butonthebacksoftheordinaryones."Cab
Calloway
Jive:thejargonofhipsters
HepsterDictionaryofJive

CommonlyusedJiveterms&phrases
publishedbyCabCallowaycirca1939
[AF][GN][O][P][R][S][T]
Ofay(n):whiteperson.

Offthecob(adj):corny,outofdate.
Offtimejive(n):asorryexcuse,sayingthe
wrongthing.
Orchestration(n):anovercoat.
Outoftheworld(adj):perfectrendition.
Example,"Thatsaxchoruswasoutofthe
world."
Ow!(exclamation):hasvariedmeaning.Whena
beautifulchickpassesby,it's"Ow!";andwhen
someonepullsanawfulpun,it'salso"Ow!"
Pad(n):bed.
Pecking(n):adanceintroducedattheCotton
Clubin1937.
Peola(n):alightperson,almostwhite.
Pigeon(n):ayounggirl.
Pops(n):salutationforallmales(seegate;
Jack).
Pounders(n):policemen.

Queen(n):abeautifulgirl.
Rank(v):tolower.
Ready(adj):100percentineveryway.
Example,"Thatfriedchickenwasready."
Ride(v):toswing,tokeepperfecttempoin
playingorsinging.
Riff(n):hotlick,musicalphrase.
Righteous(adj):splendid,okay.Example,"That
wasarighteousqueenIdugyouwithlast
black."
Rockme(v):sendme,killme,movemewith
rhythym.
Ruff(n):quarter,twentyfivecents.
Rugcutter(n):averygooddancer,anactive
jitterbug.
Sad(adj):verybad.Example,"Thatwasthe
saddestmealIevercollared."

Sadderthanamap(adj):terrible.Example,
"Thatmanissadderthanamap."
Salty(adj):angry,illtempered.
Samgotyou(phrase):you'vebeendraftedinto
thearmy.
Send(v):toarousetheemotions.(joyful).
Example,"Thatsendsme!"
Setofsevenbrights(n):oneweek.
Sharp(adj):neat,smart,tricky.Example,"That
hatissharpasatack."
Signify(v):todeclareyourself,tobrag,toboast.
Skins(n):drums.
Skinbeater(n):drummer(seehidebeater).
Skypiece(n):hat.
Slave(v):towork,whetherarduouslaborornot.
Slideyourjib(v):totalkfreely.
Snatcher(n):detective.

Sohelpme(phrase):it'sthetruth,that'safact.
Solid(adj):great,swell,okay.
Soundedoff(v):beganaprogramor
conversation.
Spoutin'(v):talkingtoomuch.
Square(n):anunhepperson(seeicky;Jeff).
Stache(v):tofile,tohideaway,tosecrete.
Standoneup(v):toplayonecheap,toassume
oneisacutrate.
Tobestashed(v):tostandorremain.
SusieQ(n):adanceintroducedattheCotton
Clubin1936.
Takeitslow(v):becareful.
Takeoff(v):playasolo.
Theman(n):thelaw.
Threads(n):suit,dressorcostuem(seedrape;
drygoods).

Tick(n):minute,moment.Example,"I'lldig
youinafewticks."Also,ticksaredoubledin
accountingtime,justasmoneyisdoubledin
giving"line."Example,"Ifinaledtothepadthis
earlybrightatticktwenty"(Igottobedthis
morningatteno'clock).
Timber(n):toothipick.
Todribble(v):tostutter.Example,"Hetalked
indribbles."
Toggedtothebricks(phrase):dressedtokill,
fromheadtotoe.
Toomuch(adj):termofhighestpraise.
Example,"Youaretoomuch!"
Trickeration(n):struttin'yourstuff,muggin'
lightlyandpolitely.
Trilly(v):toleave,todepart.Example,"Well,I
guessI'lltrilly."
Truck(v):togosomewhere.Example,"Ithink
I'lltruckondowntotheginmill(bar)."

Trucking(n):adanceintroducedattheCotton
Clubin1933.
Twistertotheslammer(n):thekeytothedoor.
Twocents(n):twodollars.
Unhep(adj):notwisetothejive,saidofan
icky,aJeff,asquare.
Vine(n):asuitofclothes.
V8(n):achickwhospurnscompany,is
independent,isnotamenable.
What'syourstory?(query):Whatdoyou
want?Whathaveyougottosayforyourself?
Howaretricks?Whatexcusecanyouoffer?
Example,"Idon'tknowwhathisstoryis."
Whippedup(adj):wornout,exhausted,beat
foryoureverything.
Wren(n):achick,aqueen.

Wrongriff(phrase):thewrongthingsaidor
done.Example,"You'recominguponthewrong
riff."
Yarddog(n):uncouth,badlyattired,
unattractivemaleorfemale.
Yeah,man(phrase):anexclamationofassent.
Zoot(adj):exaggerated
Zootsuit(n):theultimateinclothes.Theonly
totallyandtrulyAmericanciviliansuit.
[AF][GN][O][P][R][S][T]
"Everybodycame...everybodycametothe
CottonClub."CabCalloway