Hepcat

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person who is knowledgeable about and enthusiastic for jazz music and its associated culture, or more broadly, someone who is aware of current trends and fashionable in their tastes and behavior
2. An individual who possesses a deep appreciation for jazz music and its cultural nuances, while also being stylish and aware of contemporary trends in society
3. A person recognized for their enthusiasm for jazz and its related scenes, as well as their trendiness and cultural awareness in various social settings

Etymology: Hepcat is a compound of "hep" and "cat," and both halves carry their own slang history. "Hep" meant "sophisticated" or "aware," and in the 1920s "cat" was already jazz slang for a devoted fan of the music, so a hepcat was literally a sophisticated jazz enthusiast. The sense of "sophisticated person" is attested from the 1920s. The word's appeal lay in its ability to carry knowledge and style in one breath. Once jazz culture spread, it broadened to mean anyone who was up to date with current trends and fashion in taste and behaviour, not only devotees of the music.

Synonyms: hipster, cool cat, beatnik

Antonyms: square, conformist