Origin of the word 'jazz'

[Jacques]

What is the origin of the word 'jazz'?

I always thought is was from french slang 'jaser' which I thought meant to fuck, however I now find that 'jaser' means talking gibberish which I suppose makes sense with 'jazz'.

Now I am also told that 'jazz' comes from jasmine oil. The theory behind this is that prostitutes would wear a cheap perfume made from jasmine oil and 'jazz' music was usually played in brothels so one was named after the other.

Any other theories or is one of these correct?

[Guilbert]

Like a lot of slang words, its exact meaning is lost in the mists of time.

I always thought jass (as it was first spelt) was a term for fuck.

Read this for a list of possibles



Take your pick from the choices given.

[Bob Singleton]

Your first theory seems to hold water according to the Online Etymology Dictionary

[Bronson Lee]

Good thred sir !

I think it might of derived from a mix of
Africa, Arabia, the Creole & French language.
but perhaps its like the Jamacan word SKA
and is just a term to discribe a sound.