Malcolm X Chapter 3 Vocabulary

Li'l Abner

Cartoon character, ignorant young man from the country

Snooty

Conceited

Ghetto

Poor, Segregated minority community

Haughty

Proud, acting like a snob

Euphemism

Saying something harshly instead of in a nicer way

Reefers

Slang for marijuana cigarette

Countrified

Someone from the country

Zoot suits

baggy trousers with oversized jacket popular in 1940's dance halls

Frankness

being honest, plainness of speaking

Maroon

dark brownish red

Misapprehension

false belief or misunderstanding

Conk

method of straightening a black persons hair with chemicals like lye

Spooks

negative slang for black people

Choreographed

planned dance steps

Self degradation

self disgrace, self ashamement

Jive

slang for an action meant to fool someone

Second story men

slang for apartment burglars

Dig

slang for like or enjoying

Gigging

slang for working

Transfixed

stayed motionless with amazement, shocked

Inconspicuously

without being noticed, sneaky