| Term | Definition |
|---|
| vernacular | Adj: expressed or written in the native language of a place; using plain, everyday, ordinary language. Noun: the native speech or language of a place. the language or vocabulary peculiar to a class or profession; the plain variety of language in everyday use by ordinary people. |
| pernicious | adj: causing insidious harm or ruin; ruinous; injurious; hurtful |
| proverb | Noun:n a short popular saying, usually of unknown and ancient origin, that expresses effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought; adage. |
| sable | Adj: black, very dark, somber ; Noun: Old World weasel-like mammal of cold regions in Eurasia and the North Pacific islands, valued for its dark brown fur. |
| spiritual | Noun: a religious folk song; sorrow song |
| field hollers/work songs | song sang to accompany repetitive work |
| blues/the blues | a type of folksong that originated among Black Americans at the beginning of the 20th century; has a melancholy sound from repeated use of blue notes. Also a a state of depression; "he had a bad case of the blues" |
| John the Conqueror | 18502-1930s mythic African man who was sold into slavery. His spirit was never broken. Survived as a trickster figure who beat the devil and outsmarted his white masters.. Also a root used in hoodoo (folk) doctoring. Typically used in spells to increase male sexual potency. |
| wanton | Adj: headstrong, reckless, lewd, extravagant Noun: A woman free with her sexual favors |
| sermon | Noun:a discourse for the purpose of religious instruction or exhortation, esp. one based on a text of Scripture and delivered by a member of the clergy as part of a religious service. |
| payin' the dozens/signifyin' | a playful exchange of insults |
| lying contest, hyperbole | a contest in which the contestants vie for telling the most outrageous and poetically or amusingly worded lie. |
| renaissance | n. rebirth |
| victrola | an early form of gramophone, or record player |
| dower | Noun: gift or dowery |
| raff | Noun: the common folk, riff-raff |
| predella | Noun: alter |
| countenance | Noun: face, visage Verb: to support or agree with |
| abject | Adj: in a low position or status, despicable, miserable |
| cleave | Verb: to split in two, also to adhere or stick to |
| antiphonal | Adj: sung alternately, as in call and response |
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