Origination of "ax"

[Bill C. Buntin]

I've heard some refer to any stringed instrument as a "Gourd" also.

[Colm Chomicky]

When I think of "Ax" I think of the "Blade"

[Dan Tyack]

I know there were mentions of 'cutting contests' back in the 30s at least.

[Gene Jones]

.....as in, "_____ cut _____ so bad that he was bloody!"

[CrowBear Schmitt]

tho' many words have been discarded or changed most of the "hip" talk was originated by black musicians in the 20s/30s
ie: Mezz Mezzrow "Really the Blues"

To all hipsters, hustlers and fly cats tipping along The Stroll
(Keep Scuffling)
To all the cons in all the houses of many slammers, wrastling with chinches
(Short time, boys)
to all junkies and lushheads in two-bit scratch pads, and the flophouse grads in morgue iceboxes
(RIP)
To the sweettalkers, the gumbeaters, the high jivers, out of the gallion for good and never going to take low again
(You got to make it, daddy)
To Bessie Smith, Jimmy Noone, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Zutty Singleton, Johnny Dodds, Sidney Bechet and Tommy Ladnier
(Grab a taste of the millenium, gate)

[Dan Tyack]

Now that's poetry!

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www.tyack.com

[Gene H. Brown]

OK then, what about Harp? ha

[Gene Jones]

.....and "good pipes", referring to a vocalist!

www.genejones.com

[Farris Currie]

sitting here smoking my pipe,need to sharpen
my axe

[Recluse]

Another dictionary, Dictionary of American Slang,(1960 edition) has the 1957 origin credited to "For Cool Cats and Far-Out Chicks" by E. Horne. entry is "Axe - any musical instrument, even a piano." then adds "far-out and beat use; not common." As these things cite first printed use, origin would be a little bit earlier but not much as it was listed as uncommon.
At 54 I feel pretty beat and not very far-out so I guess I'll have to stop using the word.
Steve Bailey