hepcat

A hepcat in a zoot suit dances to jazz in a club.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who is knowledgeable about and enthusiastic about jazz or swing music: "hepcat" (slang) refers to a person, especially in the 1930s–1950s, who is deeply immersed in and appreciates jazz culture, often attending clubs and dancing to swing music.
   • A stylish or trendy individual: In informal use, "hepcat" can also describe someone who is fashionably hip or in tune with the latest cultural trends, especially in music and dance.

Usage Examples

• (A person passionate about jazz.)
• (A stylish, trendy person.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a hepcat": to be a devoted fan or participant in the jazz scene.
  • Only a true hepcat would know the name of that obscure saxophonist. (Only a deeply knowledgeable jazz enthusiast would know.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hep (adj): slang meaning "cool" or "in the know," often used in the same era.

  • He was so hep that he knew all the latest dance moves. (He was very trendy or knowledgeable.)

• Cat (n): slang for a person, especially a musician or a cool individual.

  • That cat plays a mean trumpet. (That person plays the trumpet well.)

Synonyms

• Jazz fan: a person who loves jazz music.
• Swing dancer: a person who dances to swing music.
• Hipster: a person who follows the latest trends, though this term is more modern and broader.

Related Idioms

• "to be hep to": to be aware of or informed about something.

  • Are you hep to the latest jazz records? (Are you aware of the newest jazz albums?)

• "to dig": slang meaning to understand or appreciate, often used in jazz culture.

  • I dig that hepcat's style. (I appreciate that cool person's style.)