Apr 26, 2017 cab calloways hepsters dictionary 1938 is an introduction to the slang of musicians working in new yorks harlem. But much like the young audience who flocked to the blues. A hepsters dictionary, which became the official jive language reference book of the new york public library. Cab calloways hepster dictionary, a 1939 glossary of. Etpt monday, february 27 on pbss american masters check local listings, and pbs on demand after that. Cab calloway, horoscope for birth date 25 december 1907, born. Nov 21, 2003 actual entries from cab calloways hepsters dictionary, revised 1939 edition. Actual entries from cab calloways hepsters dictionary, revised. As lexicographer jonathan green notes, slang is a counterlanguage used primarily by the poor the dictionary did its bit to promote equality in a society where being black was not advantageous. Cab calloway, the hepster s dictionary, 1944 before the fashion statements of hippies, punks, or hiphop, there was the zoot suit, a striking urban look of the world war ii era that captivated the imagination. Minnie the moocher theme song, everybody eats when they come to my house, st. As lexicographer jonathan green notes, slang is a counterlanguage used primarily by the poor. Mar 27, 2017 cab wanted to be an entertainer even though his family discouraged him. Cab calloway hepsters dictionary free download as pdf file.
How cab calloways hepster dictionary introduced the world to. A talented jazz singer and a superior scatter, calloway s gyrations and showmanship onstage at the cotton club sometimes overshadowed the quality of his always excellent bands. The new cab calloways catologue revised 1939 edition. Language of jive 1939, which was the first dictionary published by a black person,3 and dan burleys original handbook of harlem jive which was compiled and published in 1944 at the suggestion of harlem poet langston hughes. The image of these socalled zoot suits spread quickly and was popularized by performers such as cab calloway, who, in his hepsters dictionary, called the zoot suit the ultimate in. A revised version of the book was released with professor cab calloway s swingformation bureau in 1939. How cab calloways hepster dictionary introduced the world. Hit drummer cozy cole joins cab calloway and his cotton club orchestra.
Dec 02, 2019 a possible point of origin is cab calloways hepsters dictionary, where the word is defined as policeman or law enforcement, the man. In 1938, calloway released, cab calloways catologue. Hepsters dictionary performed by cab calloway youtube. Bust your conk on this mess and youll be wailin with the mellows.
Created by poor african american men and obscure tailors. A hepsters dictionary, a pamphlet on harlem jive talk fi rst published in the late 1930s. Heres the stone bible for you to collar that apple trickeration that will truly get your boots on. Language of jive published in 38 or 39, depending on the source, and while i have no evidence to back it up, i like to think calloway made up at least a few of the terms just to fuck with people. One of the great entertainers, cab calloway was a household name by 1932, and never really declined in fame. Are you in the know, or are you a solid bringerdowner.
The hepsters dictionary foreword some six years ago i compiled the first glossary of words, expressions, and the general patois employed by musicians and entertainers in new yorks teeming harlem. We close with the final verse and chorus of minnie the moocher, though it remains unclear. Cab calloways hepster dictionary, a 1939 glossary of the. The charismatic bandleader not only had a way with words, his love of them led him to compile a hepsters dictionary. Created by poor african american men and obscure tailors, the drape shape was embraced by mexican american pachucos, workingclass. Calloway defi ned hip as wise, sophisticated and hep cat as a guy who knows all the answers, understands jive. Actual entries from cab calloways hepsters dictionary. How cab calloways hepster dictionary introduced the. A guide to the language of jive 1938, a primer of the slang used mainly by musicians. To download a flyer with more information on the competition, click here pdf, 250k. A hepster s dictionary, the first dictionary published by an africanamerican. In 1938, jazz bandleader and singer cab calloway published the first dictionary by an africanamerican, cab calloway s catologue. The charismatic bandleader not only had a way with words, his love of them led him to compile a hepsters dictionary of harlem musician slang circa 1938. His music and his musicians, his catchy songs, his dapper look as his unforgettable scene presence, the.
Cab calloways hepsters dictionary 1938 is an introduction to the slang of musicians working in new yorks harlem. In 1938, jazz bandleader and singer cab calloway published the first dictionary by an africanamerican, cab calloways catologue. Cab calloways hepster dictionary, a 1939 glossary of the lingo. It became the official jive language reference book of the new york public library. Cab calloways hepster s dictionary reproduced in dance band album, s. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Cab calloway, the hepsters dictionary, 1944 before the fashion statements of hippies, punks, or hiphop, there was the zoot suit, a striking urban look of the world war ii era that captivated the imagination. Find cab calloway discography, albums and singles on allmusic. Although, at the time that he was going to law school, his sister, blanche calloway, was a popular singer and was producing and singing a few fine records before retiring in the mid 1930. To help facilitate this, calloway produced a hepster dictionary in 1940 that accompanied cab calloway sheet music. Cab calloways hepster dictionary, a 1939 glossary of the lingo the jive of the harlem renaissance. Charismatic music and dance pioneer cab calloway 12251907 111894 is an exceptional figure in the history of jazz. Ayun halliday is an author, homeschooler, and chief primatologist of the east village inky zine. A revised version of the book was released with professor cab calloways swingformation bureau in 1939. Jive talk, harlem jive or simply jive was an africanamerican vernacular english slang that. When i was 10, i snuck into my first rrated movie and caught my first glimpse of cab calloway. Dec 31, 20 below is cab calloways hepsters dictionary. Cab calloways hepsters dictionary in sensations of 1945.
Thirteens american masters pays tribute to influential jazz. Foreword some six years ago i compiled the first glossary of words, expressions, and the general patois employed by musicians and entertainers in new yorks teeming harlem. A hepsters dictionary, the first dictionary published by an africanamerican. Minnie the moocher live, everybody eats when they come to my house from the waitrose what makes your christmas. As of spring 2019, 105 searchable fulltext american jazz. A guide to the language of jive 1938 the hepsters dictionary foreword some six years ago i compiled the first glossary of words, expressions, and the general patois employed by musicians and entertainers in new yorks teeming harlem. Cab calloway s hepster dictionary a 1939 glossary of. It featured 200 expressions used by the hep cats when they talk their jive in the clubs on lenox avenue. A hepster s dictionary, which became the official jive language reference book of the new york public library.
The charismatic bandleader not only had a way with words, his love of them led him to compile a hepster s dictionary of harlem musician slang circa 1938. Oct 24, 2012 so successful was cab calloway s original hepster s dictionary, the first glossary ever compiled of the colorful and unique words, phrases and expressions employed by harlem musicians and performers in their own exclusive language or patios, that he decided to revise the booklet, elaborating upon the definitions, including additional terms. Actual entries from cab calloways hepsters dictionary, revised 1939 edition. The second of six kids born to an attorney and his wife, he taught himself to play the drums and soon was flashing his own flamboyant style in clubs. This was documented in works such as cab calloway s hepsters d ictionary. Jive page one of hepster s dictionary jiveformation, please. Big bad voodoo daddy and cab calloways harlem slang. They thought that it would be more appropriate for him to become a lawyer like his dad. The dictionary did its bit to promote equality in a society where being black was not advantageous.
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