Hepster Dictionary of Jive

Gabriels (n): trumpet players.

Gammin' (adj): showing off, flirtatious.

Gasser (n, adj): sensational. Example, "When it comes to dancing, she's a gasser."

Gate (n): a male person (a salutation), abbr. for "gate-mouth."

Get in there (exclamation): go to work, get busy, make it hot, give all you've got.

Gimme some skin (v): shake hands.

Git Box (n): guitar.

Glims (n): the eyes.

Got your boots on: you know what it is all about, you are a hep cat, you are wise.

Got your glasses on: you are ritzy or snooty, you fail to recognize your friends, you are up-stage.

Gravy (n): profits.

Grease (v): to eat.

Groovy (adj): fine. Example, "I feel groovy."

Ground grippers (n): new shoes.

Growl (n): vibrant notes from a trumpet.

Gut-bucket (adj): low-down music.

Guzzlin' foam (v): drinking beer.

Hard (adj): fine, good. Example, "That's a hard tie you're wearing."

Hard spiel (n): interesting line of talk.

Have a ball (v): to enjoy yourself, stage a celebration. Example, "I had myself a ball last night."

Hep cat (n): a guy who knows all the answers, understands jive.

Hide-beater (n): a drummer (see skin-beater).

Hincty (adj): conceited, snooty.

Hip (adj): wise, sophisticated, anyone with boots on. Example, "She's a hip chick."

Home-cooking (n): something very dinner (see fine dinner).

Hot (adj): musically torrid; before swing, tunes were hot or bands were hot.

Hummer (n): exceptionally good. Example, "Man, that boy is a hummer."

Hype (n, v): build up for a loan, wooing a girl, persuasive talk.

Icky (n): one who is not hip, a stupid person, can't collar the jive.

Igg (v): to ignore someone. Example, "Don't igg me!)

In the groove (adj): perfect, no deviation, down the alley.

Jack (n): name for all male friends (see gate; pops).

Jam ((1)n, (2)v): (1) improvised swing music. Example, "That's swell jam." (2) to play such music. Example, "That cat surely can jam."

Jeff (n): a pest, a bore, an icky.

Jelly (n): anything free, on the house.

Jitterbug (n): a swing fan.

Jive (n): the jargon of hipsters.

Joint is jumping: the place is lively, the club is leaping with fun.

Jumped in port (v): arrived in town.

Kick (n): a pocket. Example, "I've got five bucks in my kick."

Kill me (v): show me a good time, send me.

Killer-diller (n): a great thrill.

Knock (v): give. Example, "Knock me a kiss."

Kopasetic (adj): absolutely okay, the tops.

Lamp (v): to see, to look at.

Land o'darkness (n): Harlem.

Lane (n): a male, usually a nonprofessional.

Latch on (v): grab, take hold, get wise to.

Lay some iron (v): to tap dance. Example, "Jack, you really laid some iron that last show!"

Lay your racket (v): to jive, to sell an idea, to promote a proposition.

Lead sheet (n): a topcoat.

Left raise (n): left side. Example, "Dig the chick on your left raise."

Licking the chops (v): see frisking the whiskers.

Licks (n): hot musical phrases.

Lily whites (n): bed sheets.

Line (n): cost, price, money. Example, "What is the line on this drape" (how much does this suit cost)? "Have you got the line in the mouse" (do you have the cash in your pocket)? Also, in replying, all figures are doubled. Example, "This drape is line forty" (this suit costs twenty dollars).

Lock up (v): to acquire something exclusively. Example, "He's got that chick locked up"; "I'm gonna lock up that deal."

Main kick (n): the stage.

Main on the hitch (n): husband.

Main queen (n): favorite girl friend, sweetheart.

Man in gray (n): the postman.

Mash me a fin (command.): Give me $5.

Mellow (adj): all right, fine. Example, "That's mellow, Jack."

Melted out (adj): broke.

Mess (n): something good. Example, "That last drink was a mess."

Meter (n): quarter, twenty-five cents.

Mezz (n): anything supreme, genuine. Example, "this is really the mezz."

Mitt pounding (n): applause.

Moo juice (n): milk.

Mouse (n): pocket. Example, "I've got a meter in the mouse."

Muggin' (v): making 'em laugh, putting on the jive. "Muggin' lightly," light staccato swing; "muggin' heavy," heavy staccato swing.

Murder (n): something excellent or terrific. Example, "That's solid murder, gate!"

Neigho, pops (phrase): Nothing doing, pal.

Nicklette (n): automatic phonograph, music box.

Nickel note (n): five-dollar bill.

Nix out (v): to eliminate, get rid of. Example, "I nixed that chick out last week"; "I nixed my garments" (undressed).

Nod (n): sleep. Example, "I think I'l cop a nod."