Learn English – What does Mr. Trump’s “inner rabbit” mean

Yoichi, I swear, there should be a term (perhaps "Yoichi-question-ism!") for (A) when in English we further play on a common figure of speech.

But then, more critically, there should be a term (B) (perhaps "faux-yoichi-question-ism!") for when writers incorrectly mess-up a common figure of speech, and or pathetically accidentally mix one or more together in a meaningless way.

{Aside: For me, these "B" cases are an extremely important and noteworthy social phenomenon in current English-speaking countries: for me it's an absolutely critical pointer to the a hugely significant socio-historic phenomenon playing out currently: a combination of (i) staggering decrease in learned literacy {due to decades of a certain overarching political situation} and amazing decrease in physical native intelligence {due to carbohydrate poisoning}, coupled with (ii) a (rather terrifying) desire to be seen as humorously-pseudo-intellectual. In short, illiteracy + risible peurile pretentiousness == phenomenon "B".}

(A) and (B) are quite distinct, and you in particular very often bring to the fore examples of these. Many of your questions prove to be about (A) (harmless and happy incidents in English) and many are about (B) (which for me are socially disturbing and point to imminent Lord-of-the-Flies -esque societal collapse, on the Jaynesian scale). (!)

In this particular case, it is very much (A). ("Phew!")

A critical point for me is that in the case of yoichi-isms, and more critically, faux-yoichi-isms, answers sometimes confusingly "explain" the phrase without pointing out the overwhelming factor, that it is an (A) {or even (B)} situation.

(So for example, IMO, GMB's answer above is unclear: it relates the situation as if it is a figure-of-speech as such, rather than an "A".)

To clarify why hip in the sense of cool or stylish makes sense in this context one must also look at alternative meanings for happening.

The key to understanding what is going on in that quote (and why I initially, just like Judit, didn't think that this meaning of hip made sense in the context) is that both hip and happening can be used in a similar sense.

From OED:

happening, adj.

3. slang (orig. U.S.). Characterized by the most exciting, lively, and up-to-the-minute action or style; currently in vogue, fashionable, trendy. Cf. happen v. 6b, happening n. 3.