jive
Nonsense, deceptive talk, or talk meant to sound impressive.
By Cal Hewitt, Gen X · Researched from public sources · ·
What it actually means
Jive can mean glib, foolish, or deceptive talk. It also names a historically important African American jazz-era vocabulary and style of speech. Because of that history, using “jive” as a generic label for Black speech is inaccurate and can be disrespectful.
See the quick definition in the jive dictionary entry.
Where it came from
Jive developed in Harlem's African American jazz world and was widely associated with 1930s and 1940s jazz slang. Merriam-Webster records the noun from 1924 and identifies it as originally African American English. Cab Calloway published a jive dictionary in 1938.
No single person is credited, the origin is commonly reported.
Where it's popular
Harlem jazz culture, Black American language history, and later general U.S. slang.
It is often confused with jibe, meaning to agree.
How it caught on
- 1924Merriam-Webster's first-known noun use dates to this year.
- 1938Cab Calloway published Hepster's Dictionary.
- 1940sJive talk spread widely through jazz and popular culture.
How to use it
“Do not give me that jive.”
Rejecting nonsense or deceptive talk.
“Jive talk has a rich Harlem jazz history.”
Referring to the language tradition.
Common mix-ups
Jive is not the same as jibe. It also should not be used as a blanket label for African American English.
Do you actually know it?
Jive talk quiz
0/31. Jive can mean:
2. Jive developed in:
3. Jive is often confused with:
Related slang
Questions people ask
What does jive mean?
Nonsense or deceptive talk, and historically a jazz-era African American vocabulary.
Where did jive come from?
Harlem's African American jazz culture.
Is jive the same as jibe?
No. Jibe means agree or fit; jive has different meanings.
Cab Calloway's 1938 dictionary is an early landmark record of jive vocabulary.
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