[Ads-l] Antedating of "Noodling" (Jazz)

[Bill Mullins]

>   noodling (OED, n2, 1937)
>
>   1925 Variety 7 Oct. 48/4 (ProQuest)  The brass stuff is great and fancy sax "noodling" ... distinguishes Hazlitt
>   both as a virtuoso and dance reed artist.
>
>   1929 Tulsa Tribune 22 Sept. 42/6 (GenealogyBank)  Every time he starts noodling he hits a wet note ...
>   Noodling — improvising music.


I have mentioned previously how magicians appropriate terms from music and specifically jazz:
https://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/ads-l/2025-December/168218.html


1996 Genii Apr 455/2

And I was noodling with Cups and Balls moves, using rolled up napkins and empty water glasses—an annoying habit I no doubt share with 90 percent of the people in this room.

[this statement is from Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller who plays improvisational stand-up bass]


2001 Linking Ring Nov 82/2

While "noodling" with a coin one day, I found that it was possible to combine these gestures without looking like I am over-proving anything or committing "magical malpractice."


2003 Juggle Dec 21/1

He came home with three scarves, and that was that — he started noodling around with three tennis balls almost immediately.


2013 Genii Jul 35/2

Again, this is not a formal display, more a noodling with the coins, and should attract very little attention (although it’s not the end of the world if someone does look down).



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