Saturday, August 25, 2012

THE FIRST WORD


jazz

PRONUNCIATION:
(jaz) 

MEANING:
noun:
1. A style of music characterized by improvisation.
2. Etcetera (in the phrase: and all that jazz).
3. Nonsense.

verb tr.:
1. To enliven (in the phrase: to jazz up).
2. To exaggerate or lie.

ETYMOLOGY:
Of undetermined origin, perhaps a variant of slang jasm (energy, vigor). Earliest documented use: 1912.

USAGE:
"They had energy and passion and all that jazz."
Many Phases Later; The Irish Times (Dublin); Dec 10, 2011.

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