[Ads-l] Further Antedating of "Rap Music"

[Ben Zimmer]

Perhaps worth the bracketed treatment, since I don't think Catfish Hodge
was performing "rap" as we know it, as defined by OED def III.8.c (and
cross-referenced by the entry for "rap music"). This "rap" may be closer to
def III.8.a ("a verbal display, esp. one intended to impress. Hence:
improvised dialogue; banter, 'spiel'").

On Thu, May 15, 2025 at 11:26 AM Shapiro, Fred <fred.shapiro at yale.edu>
wrote:

> rap music (OED 1981)
>
> 1980 Washington Star 3 May B-2/4 (Genealogy Bank)
>
> ["Catfish"] Hodge's music is distinctive.  A good portion of it is "rap"
> music — Hodge talking in sing-song fashion over a wrenching, blues-based
> melody.
>
>
>

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