juke joint
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A juke joint is a small, informal, and often rustic establishment, typically found in rural areas of the southeastern United States. It serves as a local gathering place where people can socialize, eat, drink, and dance to music, traditionally provided by a jukebox.
Usage
The term describes a specific type of cultural venue, historically significant in African American communities. It implies an atmosphere of casual, lively entertainment. - After a long week of work, they headed to the old juke joint on the highway to unwind. - The blues musician got his start playing in small juke joints across the Mississippi Delta.
Advanced Usage
- Cultural Significance: A juke joint is more than just a bar; it is a community hub central to the development and dissemination of blues, jazz, and other American roots music.
- Atmosphere: The word evokes imagery of a dimly lit, crowded space with a vibrant, energetic, and sometimes raucous social scene.
Variants and Related Words
- Juke (verb, informal): To dance, especially to the music of a jukebox, or to fake out an opponent in sports.
- Jukebox (noun): A coin-operated machine that plays selected music recordings.
Synonyms
- Roadhouse
- Honky-tonk (Note: While similar, "honky-tonk" is often associated with country music and a different cultural context.)
- Tavern
- Dive bar
Idioms and Phrases
There are no common idioms that use the exact phrase "juke joint." Its meaning is specific to the term itself.
Noun
- a small roadside establishment in the southeastern United States where you can eat and drink and dance to music provided by a jukebox