General
fine and mellow
What does fine and mellow mean?
Of a person, attractive and pleasant in an easygoing way.
"She's fine and mellow, the sweetest gal in Harlem."
Origin
1930s-40s jive slang combining 'fine' (excellent) and 'mellow' (smooth, relaxed), both staples of Harlem hepster talk. Billie Holiday cemented the phrase with her 1939 blues 'Fine and Mellow.'
Frequently asked questions
What does 'fine and mellow' mean?
It means smooth, easy, and just right, a state of relaxed contentment.
Where did 'fine and mellow' come from?
From 1930s-40s jive talk, and it was famously the title of Billie Holiday's 1939 blues song.
What does 'mellow' mean in jive?
Smooth, relaxed, and agreeable, often describing a fine mood, person, or sound.
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