Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A style of popular music characterized by a basic drum-beat, generally 4/4 riffs, based on (usually electric) guitar, drums, and vocals (generally with bass guitar). Generally used to refer to the 1950’s rock, and rock of its style, quite close to swing.
- noun Style of vigorous dancing associated with this 1950’s music.
- noun An intangible feeling, philosophy, belief or allegiance relating to rock music (generally from the 1970s–1980s), and heavy metal bearing certain elements of this music, pertaining to unbridled enthusiasm, cynical regard for certain Christian and authoritarian bodies, and attitudes befitting some degree of youthful debauchery. This meaning is sometimes used as an exclamation, in describing traits of certain people, and so on.
- noun UK (
rhyming slang )dole . - verb To play rock and roll music.
- verb slang, euphemistic To
have sex . - verb To
start ,commence ,begin ,get moving .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a genre of popular music originating in the 1950s; a blend of black rhythm-and-blues with white country-and-western
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From rock (move back and forth) + and + roll; originally a verb phrase common among African Americans, meaning "to have sexual intercourse"; it was a euphemism with a hidden meaning that appeared in song titles and dance styles since the early 1930’s. As a name for a specific style of popular music from c.1954, coined by disc jockey Alan Freed.
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Examples
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uselessness commented on the word rock and roll
I've got no kick againt modern jazz
Unless they try to play it too darn fast
And change the beauty of the melody
Until it sounds just like a symphony
That's why I go for that
Rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a backbeat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock and roll music
If you want to dance with me
If you want to dance with me
-Chuck Berry
January 27, 2007
ry commented on the word rock and roll
also used as an interjection, meaning "let us begin"
April 10, 2013
bilby commented on the word rock and roll
I say that. Too often, because it doesn't suit me. Maybe if I had a ponytail.
April 10, 2013