Like a famous "Mr." of song, it was the nickname of tap dancer Bill Robinson
In Richmond, he got the nickname "Bojangles" from "jangler," meaning 
... with skating steps or crossover steps on the balls of the feet that looked like a 
jig,... [DOC] [TLE] Bill "Bojangles" Robinson - New World Encyclopedia [PAR] He headlined with Cab Calloway many times at the famous Cotton Club in 
Harlem.