Definition of slam

The word "slam" originated in the late 1950s and early 1960s in the United States, specifically in the subculture of Beat poetry. It emerged as a term used to describe energetic and passion-filled performances of poetry, inspired by the music and rhythm of jazz. The term "slam" was inspired by the game of billiards, where the phrase "slam pocket" was used to describe the hard and precise way the balls struck the pocket when they entered it. The term "poetry slam" was first coined by Chicago writer Marc Smith in 1982 at a small pub in Chicago, where he organized poetry competitions for his friends. The competitiveness and intensity of these performances, combined with the musicality of the language and performative flair, led to the term "poetry slam" being widely adopted across poetry communities. Today, the word "slam" is used not just to describe poetry performances, but also to describe any type of highly charged and energetic performance that demands the audience's attention, such as stand-up comedy and musical performances that aim to leave a strong and lasting impression on the audience.