Cool (African aesthetic): Difference between revisions

Cool is a complex aesthetic that has its roots in various West African cultures. The cool aesthetic permeates traditional West African cultures and African-American culture, as well — in black artistic and musical expression, in the hitch in the "pimp" strut of urban black men, in dress, demeanor and speech.

As in Standard English], in popular culture "cool" can indicate aloofness, composure and absence of excitement in a person, especially in times of stress. In African-American Vernacular English, "cool" has other associated meanings, as well. It can be used to communicate agreement or compliance, or an absence of conflict. It also can describe a state of calm or general well-being; something "hip", meaning current and desirable, or aesthetically appealing; or describe any intellectual, literary, material or musical expression of sublime or understated elegance.

The general spread of 'cool' with the meaning of “excellent, superlative” into the mainstream slang vernacular was first recorded in written English in the early 1930s. With the popularity of slang from the jazz culture of the 1940s and 1950s, 'cool' became an integral part of the vocabulary of mainstream youth eager to embrace the language of their jazz-musician idols. Over time, the word has been appropriated by American and world popular culture, generally, especially by youth.

"Coolness" often is associated with an element of arrogant self-awareness. In the context of a mutually reinforcing ethnic, cultural or social group, or clique, being perceived as "uncool," "lame," or "wack" can be a source of embarrassment or shame and engender ostracism by the "cool" group. Shared standards of what is "cool" or "uncool" can help establish group identity and belonging, as well as define outsiders and outcasts. In this sense, such standards act as mechanisms of control and conformity. Likewise, outsiders may often deride the "cool" group as merely self-centered or conceited.

In popular culture, "cool" also often describes someone or something which conforms to a set of social or moral values perceived as countercultural, i.e., which challenge the norms, mores, or values of a dominant group or prevailing regime.

While slang terms are usually comprised of short-lived coinages and figures of speech, 'cool' is one of the more ubiquitous slang words in Western countries. It continues to be a very popular response in conversations, especially among young people, and is ranked number one on the Top Ten Word Lists of California Youthspeak in 2003.[1] Young people around the world use the term 'cool' to express peer-group related values and a connection to American pop culture.

See also cool.

Lewis MacAdams, Birth of the Cool. Beat, Bebop and the American Avant-Garde, Free Press, 2001. The title of the book comes from Miles Davis's 1949-1950 jazz recording sessions. This is not intended as a scholarly work, and is reported to have many (relatively minor) inaccuracies.

• Online Dictionary "Cool O.E. col, from P.Gmc. *koluz, ... Applied since 1728 to large sums of money to give emphasis to amount. Meaning "calmly audacious" is from 1825. Slang use for "fashionable" is 1933, originally Black English, said to have been popularized in jazz circles by tenor saxophonist Lester Young."