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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?

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.

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

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.