[Ads-l] Antedating of "DIg" (Jazz Slang)

[Peter Reitan]

As used here, "dig" likely means "see."  This would be consistent with the expression, "plant you now, dig you later," that appeared as early as January 1934, and several more times during the same year, in The New York Age (newspapers.com).

As explained in a few articles over the next few years in various articles elsewhere, the expression meant, "take it easy, see you later."  In the 30s, it was said to be Harlem slang, or in the Cab Calloway dictionary.  By the 40s, teenage slang or military slang.  Rodgers and Hart wrote a song by that title for Pal Joey in 1940.

________________________________
From: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU> on behalf of Shapiro, Fred <fred.shapiro at YALE.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 4:48:01 AM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Subject: Antedating of "DIg" (Jazz Slang)

---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Poster:       "Shapiro, Fred" <fred.shapiro at YALE.EDU>
Subject:      Antedating of "DIg" (Jazz Slang)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

dig, v. (OED, 6.c., 1935)

1934 Chicago Defender 8 Sept. 8 (ProQuest)

Clyde Bernhart, trombone, is swinging with Vernon Andrads' band; says that =
we can dig him at 220 W. 129th street, New York City.

Fred Shapiro

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org