Jive Quote by Mark Forsyth
![“Wouldst like to con a glimmer with me this early black?’, which he [Cab Calloway] helpfully explains as ‘the proper way to ask a young lady to go to the movies’. It should be noted here, that if the object of your affections replies ‘Kill me’, they are not requesting to be euthanatised and you…” quote by Mark Forsyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6c4/mark-forsyth-19782_cab-calloway_wouldst-like-to-con-a-glimmer-with-me-th_738657.jpg)
““Wouldst like to con a glimmer with me this early black?’, which he [Cab Calloway] helpfully explains as ‘the proper way to ask a young lady to go to the movies’. It should be noted here, that if the object of your affections replies ‘Kill me’, they are not requesting to be euthanatised and you should not actually murder them. Kill me is merely the Cab Calloway way of saying ‘Show me a good time’ and is the best response you could have hoped for. Jive was rather confusing in this way.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Elements of Eloquence by Mark Forsyth, 2014
The passage humorously explains that “Kill me” in Cab Calloway’s slang means “show me a good time,” not a literal request for death.
In simple terms: “Kill me” is slang for wanting fun, not death.
Key Takeaway
Understand slang context before reacting.
Themes
language
humor
slang
Mood
playful
informative
Type
cultural
educational
When to use this quote
- nightlife
- dating
- social gatherings
- interpreting slang
Key Concepts
cultural references
communication
misinterpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify slang meanings?
- What risks arise from misreading cultural cues?
A Different Perspective
Literal interpretation can cause serious misunderstandings.
