Comments on: Axe http://www.word-detective.com/2007/04/09/axe/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:14:13 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Roger http://www.word-detective.com/2007/04/09/axe/comment-page-1/#comment-2099 Roger Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:31:56 +0000 http://word-detective.com/wordpress/?p=63#comment-2099 The term "axe" comes from a time when musicians called each other "Hacks" for the way they played music. Either trained and played legit, or just "hacked" or "chopped" at a score or song. The slang term " He's just an old hack" bears this. So your instrument (whatever it was) became your "axe".During the Big Band and Jazz era this was heard alot by musicians who didn't play songs as written but improvised them. The term “axe” comes from a time when musicians called each other “Hacks” for the way they played music. Either trained and played legit, or just “hacked” or “chopped” at a score or song. The slang term ” He’s just an old hack” bears this. So your instrument (whatever it was) became your “axe”.During the Big Band and Jazz era this was heard alot by musicians who didn’t play songs as written but improvised them.

]]> By: Larry http://www.word-detective.com/2007/04/09/axe/comment-page-1/#comment-471 Larry Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:15:50 +0000 http://word-detective.com/wordpress/?p=63#comment-471 Yes, I was around in the 50's and the term "axe" definitely referred to a saxophone. Some newbie guitar players stole the word because they didn't know any better. Since they couldn't play guitar well, the next best use was to grab it by the nut end and hit something with it. Yes, I was around in the 50’s and the term “axe” definitely referred to a saxophone. Some newbie guitar players stole the word because they didn’t know any better.

Since they couldn’t play guitar well, the next best use was to grab it by the nut end and hit something with it.

]]> By: Luthor Them http://www.word-detective.com/2007/04/09/axe/comment-page-1/#comment-408 Luthor Them Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:46:32 +0000 http://word-detective.com/wordpress/?p=63#comment-408 Yes, check it with wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki THe "AXE" suggestion that it originated with Jimi Hendrix at Monterrey Yes, check it with wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

THe “AXE” suggestion that it originated with Jimi Hendrix at Monterrey

]]> By: words1 http://www.word-detective.com/2007/04/09/axe/comment-page-1/#comment-323 words1 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:40:14 +0000 http://word-detective.com/wordpress/?p=63#comment-323 According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_(band)), the band's name is "sometimes typeset" as all caps. But it is usually not so rendered in reviews, etc., and the band doesn't seem to care (i.e., the caps don't really signify anything). According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_(band)), the band’s name is “sometimes typeset” as all caps. But it is usually not so rendered in reviews, etc., and the band doesn’t seem to care (i.e., the caps don’t really signify anything).

]]> By: George http://www.word-detective.com/2007/04/09/axe/comment-page-1/#comment-321 George Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:24:45 +0000 http://word-detective.com/wordpress/?p=63#comment-321 Hello, D U U U U U U H ! ! ! Not capitalized ? ? ? Someone better let the band members know this fact, because, there is a huge KISS logo, in all caps, on stage every night. You might want to check your facts. Hello,

D U U U U U U H ! ! ! Not capitalized ? ? ?

Someone better let the band members know this fact, because, there is a huge KISS logo, in all caps, on stage every night.

You might want to check your facts.

]]> By: Karen http://www.word-detective.com/2007/04/09/axe/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Karen Fri, 07 Dec 2007 07:10:39 +0000 http://word-detective.com/wordpress/?p=63#comment-106 I just spent the evening watching first, a PBS airing of Eric Clapton's 2007 Crossroads concert, during which I idly wondered about the use of the term axe for guitars. Then, the same station aired tape of Bob Dylan at Newport in 1963, 1964 and 1965. At the 1965 concert someone clearly says, "He's getting his axe ... he needs an acoustic guitar." Not a print form, but clear usage well in advance of the Wikianswers suggestion that it originated with Jimi Hendrix at Monterrey. I just spent the evening watching first, a PBS airing of Eric Clapton’s 2007 Crossroads concert, during which I idly wondered about the use of the term axe for guitars. Then, the same station aired tape of Bob Dylan at Newport in 1963, 1964 and 1965. At the 1965 concert someone clearly says, “He’s getting his axe … he needs an acoustic guitar.” Not a print form, but clear usage well in advance of the Wikianswers suggestion that it originated with Jimi Hendrix at Monterrey.

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