Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US) influence, ‘clout’.

1930

M. Fiaschetti You Gotta Be Rough 247: She thought I was lost in love for her and didn’t mind playing the man with all that drag, pull, and swing for a sucker.

2. (US black) stimulation, excitement, something that makes things ‘go with a swing’.

[1837		‘The Frolicsome Wife’ in Rum Ti Tum! in Spedding & Watt (eds) Bawdy Songbooks (2011) III 157: As thus my friend Watt his full swing [i.e. sexual satisfaction] did obtain, / The wife too in transport a whole week did reign].
1908		Dly Press (Newport News, VA) 29 Apr. 5/4: ‘They [i.e. a selection of hats] look great to me. there’s swing, dash, git-up to them’.
1939		Goodman & Kolodin Kingdom of Swing 138: [I]t has never been possible to have a band with swing unless you had a really good rhythm section .
1958		Murtagh & Harris Cast the First Stone 17: Coney [Island] is such a happy place full of swing and jump.
1976		Bridgwater Mercury 21 Dec. 9/3: Families may soon be enjoying a tipple at the bar to make their parties held in the community centre go with a swing [OED].
1989		De La Soul ‘Plug Tunin’ 🎵 3 Feet High and Rising [album] Sing a simple song but keep the swing strong.

3. (US black) a party.

1936

A.E. Duckett ‘Truckin ’round Brooklyn’ in N.Y. Age 11 July 7/2: The Y Spartans rate some orchids for their swing last week. Congrats girls.