The Jive was originally the European’s (U.K.) version of the American Jitterbug and/ or East Coast Swing during WWII. Cab Calloway’s Hepsters Jive Talk, made the term Jive be associated with the Swing Dance. During the war, much of this Jive Talk was being spread around, even in Europe. The Jive Speak, The Swing music, The Jitterbug dance, the coolness all lead to the Europeans seeing American Swing as the American Jive.

So technically, The Jive dance is European, NOT American. However, it did have it’s roots in America. Today, (in the USA) it is taught by the ballroom dance studios only in the Latin (Rhythm) section. It is basically a backwards or rock first “East Coast Swing,” with an exaggerated bounce and kicks using a Latin flair. However, it is a fun swing form to learn, and is fun to watch.