Zorch

Zorch is boptalk for hip, cool, froody — not square. It stems from 1950s radio comedian Red Blanchard and his beat/jazz jive.

The term has a number of other meanings in mundane slang, but this is the one that was in fannish use.

• “Zorch!” song performed by Blanchard (lyrics by William Engvick, music by Alec Wilder, recorded November 1953, released as a Columbia 45rpm record in 1957).

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Fanspeak

1950s

This is a fanspeak page. Please extend it by adding information about when and by whom it was coined, whether it’s still in use, etc.