mezz

Named after American jazz musician Mezz Mezzrow (1899–1972) who introduced Mexican marijuana to the Harlem jazz scene.

mezz

1. (dated slang) Marijuana.

   Synonyms: mighty mezz; see also Thesaurus:marijuana

   • a. 1936, Stuff Smith, “If You're a Viper”:

     Dreamed about a reefer five feet long / Mighty Mezz, but not too strong / You'll be high but not for long / If you're a viper

• “mezz n.”, in Green’s Dictionary of Slang, Jonathon Green, 2016–present

mezz (not comparable)

1. (finance, informal) Of or relating to mezzanine financing.
   • 2009, Asiamoney, volume 20, page 34:

     Mezz finance deals are typically structured as either an unsecured or subordinated (junior) note, or as preferred stock issues, and they frequently involve greater leverage levels than would be countenanced even in high-yield bond deals.

From Latin medius. Cognates include Italian mezzo and Portuguese meio.

mezz

1. the middle

Borrowed from Italian mezzo, from Latin medius.

• IPA^(key): /mɛt͡s/

mezz m (plural mezzi)

1. a means (device, method)