Another possible source for the origin of “Hip” (and “Hep”, “Hippie”, etc) is given by Bill Bryson’s book “Made in America”. Apparently, there is a West African tribe that uses the word “hepicat” to mean “someone who sees”, or “who’s eyes are open”. I’m afraid I don’t have the exact wording, because the book is back in the library, but that is the gist of it.
From this, I could certainly see it being used for the beat compliment “hip-cat”, or just “hip”. It’s a definition I like better than the ones given here, and Mr. Bryson is pretty good about his research, as well as being an entertaining writer.
I can’t say the same about my writing, however: I’ll post again when I’ve got the book back out of it’s temporary home!
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Was “hip hip hurrah” originally an anti-Semitic taunt?
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Jomo Mojo addresses the possible African connection in this thread about today’s Staff Report
Edgar Allen Poe in “Bet the Devil Your Head” has one character ask another, “Are you hipped?”
Therefore I submit that the the term hipped, later shortened to hip did come from opium smokers lying on there hips.
Bill Bryson is certainly a very entertaining writer – I have read all his books. However, his book on the history and usage of the English language (“The Mother Tongue” is the name of the book, IIRC) contains many dubious and highly suspect rumours, legend, and apocryphal tales. Some of his statements about word origins are just plain wrong.
So, if you’ve got a more reliable source for this “hepikat” idea, I’d like to know about it, please.
Sorry, 'bout that. Wrong thread, can’t delete.
Well, I’m a day late and a dollar short once again. However our friend bibliophage has once again saved the day and pointed out the right column.
Since the article to which the OP refers is a Staff Report, not a Straight Dope column, this thread is leaving the «Comments on Cecil’s Columns» forum and going to visit my colleague C K Dexter Haven in the «Comments on Staff Reports» forum.
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I’ve also heard that Hip comes from “Hep Cat”, which came from “Heppi Cotti” meaning “one who has opened his eyes”.
If this doesn’t have some basis in truth, it’s a well distributed rumour.
CK, how about Robert Claiborne, Our Marvellous Native Tongue, TIME Books, 1983, p. 252?
Claiborne gives some cites for these references: David Dalby’s essay in Thos. Kochman (ed.) Rappin’ and Stylin’ Out(U.Illinois, 1972), and Dillard, Black English(Random House, 1972).
Not tribe. Language. It’s called Wolof. mangiwakh wolof tuti rek