To dig something is to understand or appreciate it—to “get” it. As Albert Collins sings in “Give Me My Blues”: “I play my music the only way that I can/ Play my music only, only way I can/ Some people really dig it/ Some just don’t understand.”
Linguist Dr. David Dalby traced this usage of “dig” to the Wolof words deg or dega, which mean “to understand, to call attention to, or to appreciate,” in his fascinating 1972 paper “The African Element in American English.” In Wolof, deg or dega were often used to mark the beginning of a sentence, as in dega nga olof: “Do you understand Wolof?”
The Wolof people were among the first Africans to encounter European traders. The transatlantic slave trade began with some curious Portuguese sailors who reached the mouth of the Senegal River in 1445 and began trading with local Wolof people. At that time, the Wolof enjoyed a wealthy empire in western Senegal along the Gambia River.
In 1673, however, the Islamic Fulani, who lived just east of the Wolof Empire, waged a jihad, or holy war—raiding Wolof territories in an attempt to convert the Wolof people to the Muslim religion. Over the next few decades, the Wolof were also attacked by their Islamic neighbors to the north, the Mauretanians. During these battles, many Wolof people were captured by Fulani and Mauretanians and sold to British slave traders.
Traders taught English to some of the enslaved Wolof so they could be used as interpreters and mariners during voyages along the African coast.
This influx of Wolof slaves arrived in South Carolina between 1670 and 1750. Since some already knew a little English, and most arrived with useful skills such as blacksmithing, leatherworking, and butchery, they were employed primarily as house servants. As a result, many Wolof words passed into English, including “yam,” “banana,” “bug” (from bugal, to annoy), “chigger” (from jiga, for insect, or sand flea), and the use of “guy” as a personal address (from gay, meaning “fellows” or “persons”).
“What a great resource, as fascinating as it is informative. Debra’s passion for the blues shines through.” – Bonnie Raitt
“Debra’s book will teach you what you really need to know about blues history and where the blues are coming from.” – Joe Bonamassa
“Finally one can understand the mechanics behind the overwhelming viscera of the Blues. Debra Devi’s work is a true guide book to the soul.” – Al Jourgensen (Ministry)
“This book is fascinating! Take it to the bathroom and don’t come out until you’re done reading it.” – Jimmy Vivino
“This is a beautiful book. Upon receiving The Language of the Blues I discovered my knowledge only scratched the surface. Debra Devi has written an invaluable reference book. And it’s also great fun to read.” – Hal Willner
“Don’t think that The Language of the Blues might read like a dictionary or reference book. There’s no plot, but you can open it up at random and fall into the world of your favorite blues songs, and find out more about the lyrics than you would be guessing from context. I learned a lot more about the blues music I already loved.” – Bob Margolin
