jazz

I. vb

1a.

to talk deceitfully, bamboozle, bullshit

1b.

to tease or provoke Both sub-senses originated in black American slang and have, since the 1970s, be-come established in general American colloquial speech. In these meanings, jive is a synonym.

2.

American

to have sex with A black slang term from the early 20th century, jazz is still used, albeit rarely, in this sense. The word jazz is said to be a New Orleans Creole patois term for sex, erotic dancing or music.

II. n

1a.

empty, pretentious or deceitful talk

1b.

provocation, obfuscation, nuisance

2a.

stuff, unspecified things. Often heard in the dismissive phrase 'all that jazz'.

2b.

ornamentation, decoration, showi-ness

The precise origin of the word jazz is un-certain. It was first used in New Orleans in the early years of the 20th century in the form jass, referring to music and dances inspired by African rhythms. The word also had sexual overtones in its Creole origin. It was later applied to improvised music and, later still, to other forms of exciting display.