The term “smoothie” has a couple different slang meanings beyond just being a blended fruit beverage. When used in slang, smoothie often refers to someone who is slick or smooth-talking. It can also mean someone who is able to maneuver tricky social situations with ease through charm and charisma.
Definition of Smoothie in Slang
Smooth-Talker
One of the most common slang uses of smoothie refers to someone who is smooth-talking. This means they are skilled at using charming, persuasive, and flattering language to influence others. Some common characteristics of a smooth-talking smoothie include:
- Charismatic and charming
- Confident speaking style
- Able to spin any situation to their advantage
- Convincing and persuasive
- May use flattery and compliments to influence others
- Often seen as manipulative or deceitful
A smoothie in this sense relies on their slick verbal skills to maneuver difficult exchanges and get what they want. Their gift of gab allows them to talk their way into or out of just about anything. This meaning of smoothie emerged in Black slang in the early 20th century.
Socially Savvy Networker
Another slang meaning of smoothie refers to someone who is socially savvy and able to network with ease. For this smoothie, charm and likeability allow them to navigate tricky social situations and build connections. Traits of this type of smoothie include:
- Extremely social and outgoing
- Comfortable mingling in any environment
- Skilled at making new contacts
- Charismatic – people are drawn to them
- Seems to know everyone
- Access to power and insider information through their network
This smoothie isn’t necessarily manipulative – they simply have an ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Their expansive social network provides them with opportunities and access.
Where Did Smoothie Slang Originate?
The slang usage of smoothie has its origins in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) dating back to the early 20th century. It became more widespread through jazz culture. The smooth-talking meaning of smoothie grew out of Black American slang.
Some key early origins include:
- 1930s jazz scene – Smoothie was used to refer to a charismatic, suave jazz musician.
- 1940s zoot suit culture – Associated with the hip, street-smart attitude of zoot suit wearers.
- 1950s Beat culture – Referred to someone who could befuddle or manipulate others with verbal skills.
As African American slang entered the mainstream over the 20th century, the term smoothie became more common in wider American slang usage. While the term keeps its slang meaning, smoothie now is commonly used to refer to blended fruit drinks as well.
Smoothie in Use
To get a better sense for how smoothie is used in slang, let’s look at some examples:
Smooth-Talking Smoothie
- Don’t let Bob sweet talk you into lending him money again – he’s such a smoothie.
- Jane really dazzled everyone in the interview with her charm. She’s a total smoothie.
- I wouldn’t trust a word Frank says. He’s just a smooth-talking smoothie.
These examples show how smoothie refers to someone slick and persuasive with their speech. They know exactly what to say to manipulate any situation.
Socially-Savvy Smoothie
- Ever since he started hobnobbing with industry bigwigs, Thomas has become quite the smoothie.
- Lisa seems to know absolutely everyone there is to know. What a smoothie!
- I was impressed by how Daniel worked the room at the party. The guy is a real smoothie.
This usage shows how smoothie can mean someone who is skilled at building social connections and navigating interpersonal situations. They use their charm and charisma to network.
Related Slang Terms
There are a few other slang words related to the smoothie meaning:
- Smooth operator – Also refers to someone with slick charm skills.
- Slick – Similarly means smooth, glossy, glib.
- Player – A smoothie who dates or exploits multiple partners.
- Shark – A predatory smoothie out for manipulation.
While smoothie has a more playful connotation, these terms capture a similar essence of using polished charm for personal gain.
Uses in Pop Culture
The slang smoothie meaning can be found across many examples in pop culture over the past century:
- Snoop Dogg’s 1993 hit “Lodi Dodi” uses smoothie in lyrics: “I’m a smoothie, I’m the Lodi Dodi, chokin’ dodie, I smoke buddha…”
- Marx Brothers 1934 film “Duck Soup” includes line: “You’re a smoothie. You didn’t take that picture – I took it.”
- In MGM’s 1959 film “Some Like It Hot,” Daphne says to Jerry: “You big smoothie!”
- Rapper Notorious B.I.G. nicknamed himself “Biggie Smalls, the black Frank White, Mr. Smoothie…”
- A 1963 “Popeye” cartoon is titled “The Spinach Smoothie” referring to Popeye’s verbal manipulation.
From classic Hollywood films to modern hip hop, smoothie has long been used to call out someone’s slick, charming ways across pop culture.
Conclusion
So in summary, the slang term smoothie refers to:
- A smooth-talker who is verbally persuasive and charming
- Someone socially savvy who can easily build connections and navigate tricky interpersonal situations
The word emerged from African American Vernacular English in the early 20th century, especially through jazz culture. While also used now to refer to blended fruit drinks, smoothie continues to be used in slang to call out someone’s smooth, slick verbal skills and social charm. So next time you hear someone referred to as a “real smoothie,” you’ll know exactly what it means!
