jive
/dʒaɪv/
noun
Origin
Wolof
jev — to speak disparagingly or to tease
Overview
Meaning Now
- A style of highly energetic dance associated with swing music, popularized in the 1930s and 1940s.
- A form of slang, especially African American Vernacular English, characterized by its rhythmic or improvised quality.
- Deceptive, nonsensical, or insincere talk.
Language path
Wolof → African American English → English
Earliest form
jive
Earliest period
1920s
Journey
The term emerged within the cultural melting pot of African American urban centers during the 1920s. It bridged the gap between music, dance, and a coded form of communication that served as a badge of identity within the community, later entering mainstream American English via the popularity of swing dance clubs.
Evolution
- 1920s
jive
“insincere talk; to tease”
Attested in African American urban vernacular.
- 1930s
jive
“a specific style of upbeat jazz music”
Associated with the Swing era.
- 1940s
jive
“a frantic, high-energy ballroom dance”
Adopted by mainstream popular culture during WWII.
- 1970s
jive
“dishonest or nonsensical talk”
Reflected in the phrase 'Don't give me that jive'.
Connections
Word parts
jive
root
slang term for speech or dance
Related across languages
Wolof
jev
to talk disparagingly
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Related to jive
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.