The Online Slang Dictionary
(American, English, and Urban slang)

Login     Register     Forgot password     Resend confirmation

Definition of Zoot Suit

Zoot Suit

noun

  • Cab Calloway, who, in his Hepster's Dictionary, called the zoot suit "the ultimate in clothes. The only totally and truly American civilian suit."

    Style-conscious Harlem dancers began wearing loose-fitting clothes that accentuated their movements. Men donned baggy trousers with cuffs carefully tapered to prevent tripping; long jackets with heavily padded shoulders and wide lapels; long, glittering watch chains and hats ranging from porkpies and fedoras to broad-brimmed sombreros.

    During the 1930s, dance halls were popular venues for socializing, swing dancing and easing the economic stress of the Great Depression. Nowhere was this more true than in the uptown Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem, home of the famed Harlem Renaissance.

    The image of these so-called "zoot suits" spread quickly and was popularized by performers.
    I'm going to go dance tomorrow in Harlem, but I need to go shop for a new zoot suit.

    Last edited on Nov 06 2021. Submitted by pankakke.exe from Redding, CA, USA on Nov 06 2021.

+Add a definition for this slang term

More info:

Interactive stats:

Related words

Slang terms with the same meaning

None found.

Slang terms with the same root words

None. How about some random words?

Definitions include: used to describe something that's viewed a awesome.
Definitions include: a man purse.
Definitions include: to want to fight.
Definitions include: to be mean to someone in actions or words (yo that shit is grimey!).
Definitions include: to be in a bad situation along with others.
Definitions include: a long and difficult search.
Definitions include: a pedophile.
Definitions include: sex or sexual play.
Definitions include: derogatory term used to refer to ravers.
Definitions include: genitalia.

How common is this slang?

Don't click the following.
I use it(1)  
No longer use it(0)  
Heard it but never used it(0)  
Have never heard it(0)  

How vulgar is this slang?

Average of 0 votes: None  (See the most vulgar words.)


Least vulgar  
  Most vulgar

Your vote: None   (To vote, click the pepper. Vote how vulgar the word is – not how mean it is.)


Least vulgar  
  Most vulgar

Where is this slang used?

Logged-in users can add themselves to the map. Login, Register, Login instantly with Facebook.


Link to this slang definition

To link to this term in a web page or blog, insert the following.

<a href="http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/zoot-suit">Zoot Suit</a>

To link to this term in a wiki such as Wikipedia, insert the following.

[http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/zoot-suit Zoot Suit]

Some wikis use a different format for links, so be sure to check the documentation.