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Jazz singer and pianist Sarah Vaughan reportedly earned the nickname "Sassy," from pianist John Malachi. Apparently she liked it. AFP/Getty Images hide caption
itoggle caption AFP/Getty Images
<img data-original="http://ift.tt/W0E5dF; title="Jazz singer and pianist Sarah Vaughan reportedly earned the nickname "Sassy," from pianist John Malachi. Apparently she liked it." alt="Jazz singer and pianist Sarah Vaughan reportedly earned the nickname "Sassy," from pianist John Malachi. Apparently she liked it."/>
Jazz singer and pianist Sarah Vaughan reportedly earned the nickname "Sassy," from pianist John Malachi. Apparently she liked it.
AFP/Getty Images
In our semi-regular Word Watch feature, we take a look at a word or phrase that's caught our attention, whether for its history, usage, etymology, or just because it has an interesting story.
I'm sometimes described as "sassy," and when that happens I choose to take it as a compliment. I always think of Sarah "Sassy" Vaughan's spirit, verve and "sass."
You see, "sassy" started out as "saucy," according to the Oxford English Dictionary, which defines it as:
I always assume the part that begins with "self-assured" and ends with "chic" is what people are saying about me. ::blinks innocently::
But, let's talk about the part that begins with "impudent" and ends with "pretentious." Why? Because the new Lifetime show Girlfriend Intervention, that's why. Linda Holmes explained that whole business over on the Monkey See blog better than I could ever do it, so I won't even bother here, but this new makeover series has resurrected the tired old cliche of the "sassy black woman."
What "sassy black woman" cliche, you may ask? The sometimes-loud-sometimes-rude-always-quick-with-the-comeback-sass-mouth-neck-rolling-finger-wagging-one-who-tells-it-like-it-is-with-no-sugarcoating cliche. Like this one:
The one tvtropes.org describes like this:
<blockquote class="edTag"><div>
Since the era of Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement, black people were more visible and could be more outspoken — to a point, particularly if they were female. To illustrate this, sassy
Jazz singer and pianist Sarah Vaughan reportedly earned the nickname "Sassy," from pianist John Malachi. Apparently she liked it. AFP/Getty Images hide caption
itoggle caption AFP/Getty Images
<img data-original="http://ift.tt/W0E5dF; title="Jazz singer and pianist Sarah Vaughan reportedly earned the nickname "Sassy," from pianist John Malachi. Apparently she liked it." alt="Jazz singer and pianist Sarah Vaughan reportedly earned the nickname "Sassy," from pianist John Malachi. Apparently she liked it."/>
Jazz singer and pianist Sarah Vaughan reportedly earned the nickname "Sassy," from pianist John Malachi. Apparently she liked it.
AFP/Getty Images
In our semi-regular Word Watch feature, we take a look at a word or phrase that's caught our attention, whether for its history, usage, etymology, or just because it has an interesting story.
I'm sometimes described as "sassy," and when that happens I choose to take it as a compliment. I always think of Sarah "Sassy" Vaughan's spirit, verve and "sass."
You see, "sassy" started out as "saucy," according to the Oxford English Dictionary, which defines it as:
- "Impudent, saucy, 'cheeky.'"
- "Outspoken, provocative."
- "Conceited, pretentious."
- "Self-assured, spirited, bold."
- "Vigorous, lively."
- "Stylish, 'chic'."
I always assume the part that begins with "self-assured" and ends with "chic" is what people are saying about me. ::blinks innocently::
But, let's talk about the part that begins with "impudent" and ends with "pretentious." Why? Because the new Lifetime show Girlfriend Intervention, that's why. Linda Holmes explained that whole business over on the Monkey See blog better than I could ever do it, so I won't even bother here, but this new makeover series has resurrected the tired old cliche of the "sassy black woman."
What "sassy black woman" cliche, you may ask? The sometimes-loud-sometimes-rude-always-quick-with-the-comeback-sass-mouth-neck-rolling-finger-wagging-one-who-tells-it-like-it-is-with-no-sugarcoating cliche. Like this one:
The one tvtropes.org describes like this:
<blockquote class="edTag"><div>
Since the era of Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement, black people were more visible and could be more outspoken — to a point, particularly if they were female. To illustrate this, sassy
via Smart Health Shop Forum http://ift.tt/1tmbmig
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