QI | The Word 'Cool'

The history behind Stephen's pick-up lines, featuring the infamous 'Jazz Nazis'.
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This clip is from QI Series G, Episode 5, 'Groovy' with Stephen Fry, Alan Davies, Bill Bailey, Lee Mack and David Tennant.

[@LureThosePixels]

I love how they just all unanimously agree that david is the chillest there

[@Minecraftrok999]

smalla ss Tennant definitely is the one that those adjectives fit to the best.

[@WalterLiddy]

They said 'cool', not 'chill'.

[@TheKyleMark]

I’d say Bailey is the coolest, he’s as much rock star as comedian. Followed by David, then Lee, then poor Alan.

[@mahna_mahna]

Considering that Rachel Riley admitted to having an obsessive crush on him, I'm going to have to go with Bill Bailey for coolest.

[@mamanowatum]

@@TheKyleMark I think you can faintly hear David answering the question with "I'm going for Bill" at 0:07. I've seen this clip way too many times, but only just noticed that now.

[@mikesmith-pj7xz]

"Jazz Nazis" God I love this show and am both thrilled and terrified to imagine it on a US network.

[@danielhorn2322]

*American top gear has entered the chat*

[@snickle1980]

@@drumboarder1 We WOULD make a terrible variation. The host would be angry and the regular guests would be obnoxious. Some things (and shows) are best left to the Britons.

[@drumboarder1]

@@snickle1980 America's just too thin skinned unfortunately and American TV is purely formulaic

[@fossilmatic]

Please make this happen just for giggles.

[@mikesmith-pj7xz]

@@fossilmatic just for the train wreck quality of it, I’d watch😎

[@stevendern2543]

I burnt down the Reichstag! Cool! That was the coolest.

[@Jesse3beards]

Zeeze new uniforms are kool

[@moramento22]

I've joined ze Nazi Party zey cool daddy oh!

[@uny4781]

I burned down zee Reichstag! Cool!

[@tonygriffin_]

Those black SS uniforms with the silver skull and runes were designed by Hugo Boss. Fact.

[@bomber7837]

@@tonygriffin_ Not a fact at all, they were simply manufactured by Hugo Boss, and NOT designed by them.

[@seansko1995]

@@tonygriffin_ the all-black ss uniform was designed by SS members karl diebitsch (artist) and Walter Heck (graphic designer). Hugo boss manufactured them.

[@rockanonymous7539]

Bill Bailey is the coolest of them

[@blacktinibis7250]

Him answering "Hitler" **repeatedly** is one of the funniest things I've ever seen in my fucking *life*.

[@kitkat1595]

even david agrees with you quietly at 0:07 “i’m going for bill”

[@Jojozilla426]

Undoubtedly

[@NickyG-NZ]

I think Allans "and besides I have no choice" needs more attention

[@demondwilson706]

David Tennant's sideburns look like the Korean peninsula

[@luuketaylor]

한반도!

[@EvertfromNederland]

Whenever British comedians get the chance to throw in some good old nazi jokes they always go in head first. I love it. I mean to be honest there wasn't realy an open angle to make one. Bill Baily just says, "Hitler", Stephen confirms the year 1933 and it's off the the races realy.

[@jackmehoffe9372]

Hahahaahah

[@joelouis-arena4061]

Don’t mention the war

[@LongLongLists]

"Zes new uniforms are cooool" hahahahahahaha

[@jeffcolorado]

In the 50's, I was a little kid. My brother and his pals were teens, with a James Dean attitude. When a friend of my brother's came over one day smoking a cigarette, my mom asked him why he smoked. He said, because it's "cool". My mom surprised him by saying, "Sometimes, cool means not so hot." I recall him putting out the cigarette, and I don't think he smoked in front of my mom after that.

[@tahutoa]

that's actually a pretty slick retort.

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Me too

[@him050]

That happened

[@jordanmcquay9077]

Alan and Bill together are my favorite on the show, followed by David Mitchell

[@codyhannahmary83]

This has always been and will always be my favorite clip of QI. David Tennant needs to be a guest again with Sandy.

[@carsonianthegreat4672]

The word cool was used as Calvin Coolidge’s presidential campaign slogan “Keep It Cool With Coolidge” in the 1920s.

[@Flippokid]

"When did it first mean fashionable."

[@DarkParagon]

Uh... uhm... Coolidge was a great believer in global warming! **Glances around at fact checkers with sadness**

[@r0bw00d]

That was used in the fashion of keeping one's cool, meaning staying calm.

[@HollowSun]

I can't be the only one who wants to see "Jazznazis! The Musical"

[@rvllctt871]

Just watch The Producers (2005)!?

[@koalabandit9166]

Tagline: "They really are killing it!"

[@HereComesWheely]

Closest thing I can think of is Frank Sanazi lol

[@Vlaid65]

If I could "like" this every day I probably would. One of the best QI clips.

[@Allyosaugh]

stephen fry chatting up a madam

[@samos4924]

A madam?

[@Allyosaugh]

yeah you heard me

[@dixie_rekd9601]

more likely a madman. :)

[@eoin730]

Allyosaugh *mandem

[@SiskinOnUTube]

Some guys can be total madams.

[@MsMary957]

I love these clips. I learn something while I’m lmao.

[@Critter145]

0:38 Zeez new uniforms are cool🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Jiffy_Park]

best panel ever

[@sourabhmookherjee4218]

Mr. Fry is indeed the coolest person in the universe.

[@freshrr2]

Cool

[@JackDManheim]

"Madam"? Was this the first time Lee was on this show? or watched it?

[@Lucifronz]

Funnier when it's directed at a woman, I suppose. I have to admit, I didn't even notice when he said that what his mistake was until just now.

[@rtg_onefourtwoeightfiveseven]

I mean, this is already assuming Stephen is chatting up someone in a bar, which to be honest is equally unlikely.

[@TK_Brainslug]

gawd I love the show so much and I'm german

[@miltonroberts7948]

"Cool" was used long ago. Calvin Coolidge used the phrase "Keep Cool with Coolidge" in his 1924 Presidential campaign. Not sure of the occasion but I have seen/heard it used long before that.

[@flightofthefatman]

Cool used in its literal sense it seems to me.

[@carsonianthegreat4672]

Batcat , no that would not make sense.

[@KarstenOkk]

@@carsonianthegreat4672 Why not? "Keep a cool head" or "Keep your cool" uses it in a, albeit not literal sense, certainly a different sense than the one we typically use it today.

[@3wc]

The patience of Steven Fry!!

[@mrbenoit5018]

“I just burned down ze Reichstag!” “Cool!”

[@Rich6Brew]

Lee Mack: Laugh? I never thought I'd start (I didn't).

[@rksummers5151]

I normally can’t stand Lee Mack but his “let me explain” bit cracks me up every time 😂

[@hulakan]

In Frank Norris's 1899 novel "McTeague" when one character suggests a pick-nick, another replies, "That would be far out!"

[@jotownsend8412]

"And that, madam, is why I am cool." Did...did Lee miss the memo...? LOL

[@bremCZ]

The thing that always throws me with this clip is that Lee says he can imagine Stephen using that as a chat up line, and then plays out a scene involving Stephen trying to chat up a woman.

[@petejones879]

2 Stephen fry is 2 yrs younger than me.. Cool lol

[@dinnerwithfranklin2451]

Bill Baily is hilarious

[@decadencewhimsyandsarcasm]

Can’t believe fry didn’t pick up on lee saying madam lol

[@cacauldr]

'When' questions tend to get wibbly wobbly in presence of the Doctor.

[@miltonroberts7948]

Calvin Coolidge, in his presidential campaign of 1924 ,used the slogan,"KeepCool With Coolidge".

[@cogboy302]

Steven Fry wins, simply by saying, 'Groovy'. I doff my cap to you Sir.

[@SavageGreywolf]

I could watch Bill Bailey and Alan Davies do Jazz Nazis schtick for at least another few minutes.

[@CorsetGrace]

No one did the Nazi salute with jazz hands?

[@andreahogan3820]

CorsetGrace different kind of jazz.

[@chrisstar969]

Missed opportunity, I agree

[@Gyrbae]

1:08

[@TheHutchy01]

Isn't that just waving?

[@comediansactorsandall2502]

David Tennant is totally the cooooollllleeeesssstttt there

[@CalvinLimuel]

The Birth of Cool invented the colloquial 'cool'? Brilliant

[@ApsaraMenaka]

Don't mention the war! ;-)

[@antigraceful]

1:21 Alan is so stoned... cottonmouth for dayz

[@exaroc571]

0:38

[@theobyrne2457]

"cool" was used in the modern sense in the Great Gatsby which was published in 1925 smh

[@carsonianthegreat4672]

It was used that way by President Coolidge in the 20s as well His slogan was “Keep it cool with Coolidge” for crying out loud.

[@boooster101]

@@carsonianthegreat4672 but that was used as "keep calm", not in the modern sense of hip

[@imamoronand9199]

TwoCentsforCharon It’s not a great leap

[@greyeyed123]

It's hard to ignore the use of "cool" in "The Great Gatsby". While it is not exactly the same as modern usage, it is very, very close and difficult to ignore.

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Sometimes the elves are mistaken They are only fact checkers, after all

[@greatbigorangecloud_]

“madam”

[@stephenbenner4353]

How about the 1868 use of the word “Cool!” In the Wilkie Collins novel: The Moonstone?

[@smockboy]

It clearly doesn't mean 'fashionable', that much is clear from context.

[@leannabarnard737]

Cool story bro..🤣

[@miltonroberts7948]

1924 political saying in US,"Keep Cool With Coolidge".

[@thatchoirgirl94]

1:45 "And that, madam..." i don't think so, Lee 🧐

[@czgibson3086]

What a catalogue of confusion from Stephen Fry here. Yes, the 'Birth of the Cool' album was first released in 1957, but the recordings on it date from 1949-50. The West Coast jazz style did draw influence from the cool school, but Miles' 'Cool' recordings were made in New York and were never known as being 'West Coast' in any sense.

[@RichardHannay]

My gosh he’s older than my dad!

[@benjaminressler7745]

Stephan fry doesn't need a chat up line he simply talks and they swoon.

[@MegaBanne]

The word cool referred to how the cool jazz was the opposite to the hot and intensive jazz. It was minimalistic, soft and mellow. When I became a more and more important part of the jazz slang it turned more and more in to something you just say.

[@JoshuaDay1999]

Jazz Nazis is a great band name

[@bookwoman53]

I thought that David would join the other guys in their tomfoolery.

[@SF7PAKISTAN]

Loved the jazz nazi bit

[@nityasomaiya5001]

Lee Mack is the absolute greatest comedian

[@Tinker1950]

I was born long enough ago to use 'cool' when talking about the fridge or the weather. Never is the word 'cool' followed by 'man' or 'baby' - but equally, 'far out' is dormant within my lexicon, whether or not embellished with man or baby. I'm just trad man (it's a Beatnik phrase).

[@justinmillard8196]

Was the old fridge kerosene powered or electric? I’m kind of curious about what the experience of a kerosene fridge must have been like before they were phased out. Also apparently the phrase “far out” was around at the start of the 20th century, but I certainly respect the temperament of a person who refuses to say it.

[@Tinker1950]

@@justinmillard8196 Domestic fridges where almost exclusively gas or electric. The gas and electric companies were like the later VHS/BETAMAX or cassette/eight track battles - electric won. As for kerosene fridges, I've not really come across one - certainly not in the UK.

[@justinmillard8196]

@@Tinker1950 thank you

[@emgoodluck416]

And that madam ???? 👀😂

[@jonathanryals9934]

Beatniks were in the fifties

[@chadev9748]

you like jazz?

[@shmookins]

OF COURSE Fry was born when 'cool' was coined.

[@99ize18]

Cool - criminal slang for no danger of cops.

[@gordonbennett5638]

Makes sense given the slang for police is "the heat".

[@MegaWarlus]

Shecond!

[@geoffgeoff143]

Funky

[@kjamison5951]

Hugo Boss is considered cool and he designed the uniforms for the Nazis… just sayin’

[@8lifeisamovie8]

Adidas = Adolf Dassler

[@stitcha123]

D...don’t go...

[@teledunc]

That “Jazz Nazi” comment reminded me of Django Reinhardt. If you don’t know who he was, look him up. His life story is fascinating (and his music wonderful).

[@johnpliskin8759]

miles david? come on fry

[@johndickson76]

Birth of the cool is Lisa Simpson’s favourite album

[@dielaughing73]

She has great taste

[@EleanorPeterson]

I know this show's unapologetically British format (to wit: who gives a sh*t) must horrify the managers of many potentially Quite Interesting guests from the States [it's career suicide if you're too sensitive, precious, or pious], but I reckon Mel Brooks would make a fine guest. He's got the necessary chutzpah to get away with murder. ♬ "Don't be stupid, Be a smartie - C'mon, join the Nazi Party..."

[@Ghetto_Smosh]

Yeah, how else are you gonna name this right?

[@shanewright2772]

Birth of the Cool was issued in 1949

[@cakekilla101]

The Album was released in 1957

[@shanewright2772]

Sorry, it was first issued as an "album" of 78 rpm sides in 1949. It was issued as a long playing album in 1957

[@METALFREAK03]

"an album" is slang for LP not rpms.

[@jefolson6989]

Re listened to Birth of the Cool. Very different experience under the weight of my new knowledge that it was 1949! Jazz developed so much by 57. Things that were common in 57 were true innovations in 49. Always loved it but have a greater respect for its significance in jazz history.

[@MartinWillett]

Madam?

[@briancathcart3482]

Nothing to say, Doctor?

[@VeraDragon]

How old is Stephen Fry?

[@Nafon]

A simple google search could tell you the answer. And he's 59.

[@andrew7taylor]

He says right there that he's born in 1957. So, what do you think?

[@wartem]

Where is Vox? If Pewdiepie did this

[@ineswotton7069]

jazz nazis is the funniest thing ever

[@paulrichards4686]

Nothing to do with 'cool runnin's' then?

[@him050]

“Cut to two hours later.” It takes Stephen about 45 seconds to explain where it came from. That joke is cancelled

[@hohaia01]

David Tenet didn't speak a word. How cool is that?

[@comediansactorsandall2502]

Jazz natzis

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

Not as old as hoopy frood. 😀

[@c0mputer]

Madam? You mean sir?

[@tomh2572]

Kül

[@buttquack]

So Miles Davis first used the word cool to mean fashionable the same year hitler came into power? Neat!

[@sophiegreen1923]

Jazz Nazi’s 😭😭😭😭

[@MegaKakumei]

Kool! > Bill Bailey

[@BootsofBlindingSpeed]

I unironically think Nazi's have the coolest looking uniform. Hugo B0ss 11/10.

[@leedavies3337]

I think Stephen is cool :(

[@RatelHBadger]

Jazz Nazis

[@TheTURKISHDELIGHT98]

But pewdiepie gets ruined for similar jokes 🤔🤔

[@Buick_GSX]

So Count Dankula gets arrested for a trick he taught his pug yet these guys can get of scot free. Gg UK speech laws

[@harryturner8701]

Anyone who uses the word “hip” is not “hip”

[@Archangelsvoid]

What about a cool doctor doing replacement surgery. :P

[@jatari7871]

Get off tv Lee Mack.

[@ineffablemars]

Lmfaooo “I burned down the reichstag…. Cool 😎 “

[@guesswho2390]

This is so odd to me. Usually anywhere else I’ve seen David Tennant he’s so chatty and full of energy but here he’s barely shown on camera, barely saying a word and looks uncomfortable at their jokes

[@gwen6622]

back when nazi jokes weren't scarily relevant