Glossary
For those new to folk dancing, or any type of dancing,
learning basic vocabulary can be an exhausting
task. This goes beyond learning the steps, but being able to
apply the words you hear or maybe even use. For those who are
older and have been dancing for some years, your memory might
be at the place that it needs a boost every once in a while.
On this page we have identified a few common terms, styles, and
movements you may come across in your experience. If you have
a term, phrase, position or dance step you would like to
contribute to this list, or if there is a word which you have heard
but feel embarrassed to ask, please let us know. We promise not
to put your name on-line and will try to make sense of something
you may have heard!
Enjoy!
Allemande Left
Join left hands with your corner or partner and turn once CCW in 8 steps, ending in starting
position. Allemande Right is done with opposite hands and direction. DUH?
Arabesque
Sometimes if you
are uncertain of the exact Middle Eastern country an individual is
from, you might say he or she is "arabesque." This would be
politically incorrect. Arabesque is a position in which
the dancer stands on one leg, straight or bent (not the dancer,
the leg), with the other extended to the back at 90 degrees.
Back Skaters Position
Partners stand side-by-side, left hands joined in front of man's body (man's palm up),
with man's right arm around partner's waist, and holding lady's right hand at her right hip.
Balance
1) Two dancers face and
dance two step-swings, starting to the right first, either with
or without right hands joined. 2) One two-step, two walking
steps, or a step and touch moving forward or back, and then repeat
the same steps in the opposite direction. 3) A two-step or Pas
de Basque to the left and then to the right or to the right
and then to the left.
Balboa
Rocky's surname. It is
also a form of Swing dance that started as early as 1915 and
gained in popularity in the 1930s and 1940s. It is danced
primarily in close embrace, and is led with a full body connection.
The art of Balboa is the subtle communication between the lead
and follow, like weight shifts, that most viewers cannot see.
As a result, Balboa is considered more of a "dancer's dance"
than a "spectator's dance."
Ballroom (Closed) Position
Two dancers face. The man's left hand is held out to his left,
approximately shoulder
high, and his right arm is around his partner's waist with the
right hand supporting her back. The elbow of the man's right
arm must be kept at least as high as the right hand in order to
lead properly. The lady's right hand is placed on the man's
left hand, and her left hand is placed on the man's right
shoulder or upper arm. The lady's left arm should be in contact
with the man's right arm, though she should carry the weight
and not drag down on her partner, even if he is a muscular sort
of person!
Basket Hold
The last thing "Little Red Riding Hood" saw before being consumed by the
bad wolf. With regards to dancing...Front Basket Hold
(more common) is a row or circle of dancers, side-by-side,
with arms extended sideways in front of the adjacent dancers to
take hands with the second dancer to each side. Unless indicated
otherwise, the left arm is over the right arm of your neighbour
to your left. Back Basket Hold: is a row or
circle of dancers, side-by-side, with arms extended sideways
behind the adjacent dancers to take hands with the second dancer
to each side.
Behind
Otherwise known as the buttocks, rear, bum, rump, khyber pass, backside, bottom, derrière
or a few other choice words not printable on this site, to which you sit on if you don't know the dance or need a rest
from dancing! It can also refer to the free foot, which is supposed to go in back of the opposite foot. The former
definitions, however, are much more exciting!
Belt Hold
This first presumes
that people are wearing belts. Otherwise, care must be given when
reaching towards, and pulling on another dancer's clothes. It
involves a row of dancers, side by side, each dancer holding
the belt of the adjacent dancer. If the row moves to the right
in the dance then the right arm is crossed under the left arm
and vice-versa. The end dancers in the line hold their belts
with their free hands. If there is an absence of belts, you must
pretend!
Black Bottom
African-American
couple dance originating from New Orleans in 1919. It came from
an earlier dance called “Jacksonville Rounders’ Dance” printed
in 1907 and the rhythm was based solidly
on the Charleston and took over in popularity. Some suggest
this Jazz Age dance took its name from the muddy bottom of the
Mississippi River.
Box Step
A pattern consisting of six steps, which when taken in its entirety, form the shape
of a box…duh!
Brush
Nothing to do with the hair-do! This step involves a brushing of the toe(s) on the floor at the lowest
part of a swing or in conjunction with another step.
Bunny Hop
This dance resembles the Conga line, but has three jumps at the end of the phrase
instead of a kick. It comes instinctively to young rabbits.
Butterfly Position
When
referred to in dancing, two dancers face and join hands out to the
sides,
palm to palm, elbows slightly bent. When referred to in Kama
Sutra it is something totally different and cannot be published
on this website.
Buzz
A type of haircut experienced by many military personnel, skin-heads, or persons infested with lice. It
is also the euphoria experienced by smoking marijuana!
In
dance terms, this step is used when the body is moving sidewards
to the left, but with the right foot leading. It is sometimes
referred to as a pivot. Crossing the right foot over in front
of the left, step to the left on it, and close the left foot to
the right. This buzz step can also be used to move in the
other direction by reversing the footwork. This step can be
used when swinging in the shoulder-waist or waist-swing position.
Simply put, it is a turn in one spot.
Camel Walk
A
skill practiced by Bedouins and Nomads for the purpose of exercising
their dromedaries. If your
dromedary is physically fit or you do not presently own one, it
can be a two-beat maneuver in which a step forward is made
on the first beat. On the second beat, the forward foot does a
knee pop while the trailing foot slides up to and under the
upraised heel of the forward foot.
Can-can
A stutterer who is
able to do anything she or he desires. It is also regarded today
primarily as a physically demanding music hall dance, performed
by a chorus line of female dancers who wear costumes with
long skirts, petticoats, and black stockings, harking back to
the fashions of the 1890s. The main features of the dance are
the lifting up and manipulation of the skirts, with high
kicking and suggestive, provocative body movements. Some middle-aged
and out-of-shape ladies really shouldn't-shouldn't.
Chain
A necessary
accessory for those who enjoy the charming sport of S&M. In dancing,
however, partners face
each other in a circle with the men facing
anti/counter-clockwise (LOD) and the ladies facing clockwise (RLOD).
Give right
hand to partner and pass by right shoulders. Give left hand to
the next dancer and pass by left shoulder. Continue giving
alternately right hand and then left hand to the oncoming
dancers. Also known as a "grand chain".
Charleston
The capital of
South Carolina from 1670-1789, after which the capital was moved to
Columbia, South Carolina. The dance originated in the early
20's in illegal drinking places during the time of prohibition.
The combination of a particular type of jazz music and the
highly polished, slippery floors of the Speakeasies gave rise to
an in-and-out flicking of the feet which essentially
characterized the dance. It was embellished with typical vaudeville
moves
in a Ziegfield Follies production in 1921.
Chasse
A sliding step in which one foot "chases" and displaces the other. The direction
may be sideways, diagonal, or even curving.
Chug
Something dancers do to
water when thirsty, after a long dance. It is also a sharp movement
(usually backward) of the supporting foot/feet where the
foot/feet do not leave the floor. First shift the weight in the
direction
of the chug then sharply move the foot/feet to the new center
of weight.
Clogging
A freestyle dance
style originating in the Blue Ridge Mountains characterized by double
time stomping and tap steps resembling a tap dance with the
upper body held straight and upright. The constant shuffling of
the "floor" foot is one of the major characteristics that
distinguishes clogging from tap dancing.
Conga
An African-Cuban dance
characterized by the extreme violence of accents on the strong
beats in 2/4 time. The Conga was very popular in the late
thirties. It was performed in a formation known as the Conga chain
or Conga line. The steps are simple, one, two, three, kick at
which time the partners move away from each other.
Contra or Longways Formation
Couples stand in two lines, men in one line facing the right wall and
their partners
who are standing in another line and facing the left wall.
Starting with the couple at the head of the set, couples are numbered
consecutively, to the foot, with rarely more than six couples
to a set.
Corner
Where Little Jack Horner sat. It can also be the person standing by a dancer other than his/her partner
when dancing as couples.
Cotton-Eyed Joe
A Country
& Western dance enjoyed throughout the United States and elsewhere
for its enthusiastic music and energetic movements.
Characteristic movements include kicks, stomps, shuffles, and turns in
place or traveling around the room. The man and the lady
generally begin in shadow position with the left foot and they use
the same foot on the same beat of music throughout their
patterns.
Courtesy Turn
Starting
formation - couple, facing dancers. The man (left hand dancer) takes
the lady's (right hand dancer) left hand (palm down) in his
left (palm up) and places his right hand in the small of the
lady's back. Moving as a unit, the couple turns around (180°)
with the left hand dancer backing up and right hand
dancer walking forward. Unless otherwise specified, the couple
faces the center of the set or the center of the formation.
Csárdás
It is a Hungarian dance with a slow introduction and a fast, wild finish.
It is of Gypsy origin and means "innkeeper."
Cukce
In Balkan
dancing, it is a soft rise and fall of the heel, like a bounce. In baby
talk, it is the first
word (repeated twice) followed by the word "coo". Many babies
consider such talk condescending or odd at the very least, especially
when a pinch of the cheek or tickling under the chin coincides
with such gibberish.
Curtsy
The lady
faces her partner with feet together, she touches her left foot behind
her right and bends
the knees slightly, lowering the body, then returns to normal
position. Body remains upright. There is a push for a revival
of such practices amongst some men.
Cut
What happens when you are
careless with scissors. A quick displacement of one foot by the
other. To cut the left foot you would stand with weight on the
left foot and swing the right foot sidewards towards the left
foot. Take weight on the right foot and swing the left foot
away from the right foot as a continuation of the right foot’s
swing. To "cut right", do the opposite.
Dip
The
placement of a small amount of chewing tobacco under the lip, normally
thought to be a very disgusting
habit. It can also mean a step back on the right foot, with the
left foot taking full weight and bending the knee. The other
leg remains extended and straight with the toe in contact with
the floor.
Dirty Dancin'
A general style
of very intimate closed position partner dancing popularized in
the late 80's by actor/dancer Patrick Swayze in the movie
"Dirty Dancin'." Danced to popular fast or slow music
and characterized by sensuous and seductive movements by both
the man and woman. To increase the intensity of Dirty Dancin'
it is recommended that it be done in the mud after a heavy
rain.
Do-si-do
Two
dancers face, move forward passing right shoulders (unless directed
otherwise), move to the right
passing back-to-back, and fall back to places, all in 8 steps.
The direction of facing remains the same. There should be no
spins. The same figure may be danced passing left shoulders
first and moving to the left.
Double Circle
Usually consists of couples who are facing CCW around the circle.
Variations: partners face;
all dancers face center; all dancers face toward the wall with
backs to center; men are in the outside circle with women in
the inside circle; every other couple faces CW while alternate
couples face CCW, leaving a couple facing a couple.
Drag
A man with
a slight 5 o'clock shadow wearing a woman's dress and wig. A drag can
also happen when a couples
dance is announced and you are suddenly the odd person out
without a partner, or when nobody ever asks to be your partner.
This can also be a drag. It can also suggest that you bring
your free foot slowly together to the supporting foot and is usually
much more exciting than a man in a wig.
Draw
Something which must be
learned after the realization that all of your people look like
stick-figures. It can also be something similar to the
side-step, except the trailing foot is closed to the supporting foot,
with the heel leading and the toe pointed to the side. Weight
depends on the next movement or step. Some people should NOT
draw and stick with math or science.
Escort Hold
You can use your own imagination on this one, but can anyone say "Hugh Grant?" When referring to
a Line Dance you would place the left hand at waist level close to center front of body. (Men may place left thumb
in their belt.) Rest the right hand lightly on the adjacent dancer’s left forearm through the space formed by the bent
elbow.
As a Couple Dance, a couple stands
side-by-side, facing the same direction. The man bends his right arm
and holds it at his waist. The lady slips her left hand through
the gap at his elbow to rest it on the man’s right forearm.
The man’s left arm and the lady's right arm are held at their
sides.
Flamenco
Not to be confused
with a "flamingo," it is a Sevillian gypsy dance, possibly
originating in India, also with Moorish and Arabian influences,
originally accompanied by songs and clapping and later by
the guitar, and characterized by its heelwork (taconeo). A
flamingo is a bright pink bird who mysteriously appears on some
lawns in America, normally in lower-class neighbourhoods.
Flea Hop
A skip or scoot sideways in the direction of the non-support leg. The hip moves upward, as if you
have just been bitten by a flea in your under-garments.
Folk Dancing
A type of dancing that has developed through the traditions of a culture, and has
been passed down from generation to generation. It is danced to traditional ethnic music and their instruments.
Foxtrot
The dance
originated in 1913 when a vaudeville performer by the name of Harry
Fox performed a little "trot" which appealed to the social
dance teachers in New York and thus the Foxtrot was born.
Little did Harry Fox realize that his trotting on a New York
stage in 1913 would become an overnight success. The Foxtrot
is the foundation for many of the social dances that followed.
It is enjoyed by all age groups for its ease of movement and
smooth style. Foxtrot music is played by most social dance
orchestras and is one of the easiest dances to learn in the American
Style.
Free-style
Ad lib
dance movements with no fixed structure. This is a very convenient dance
term for new-comers.
If asked by the more experienced dancers, "What in the world
was that step?" The proper reply is, "Free-style, what else?"
Frug
The Frug was born from a
dance called the Chicken which had a lateral body movement and
was used as a change of pace during the Twist. So as the kids
grew lazier they decided to do less work, and started moving
only their hips while standing still. As the hips swing from
side to side they started making up arm movements for the dance.
From this came the Swim, the Monkey, the Dog, the Watusi, the
Waddle or Wabble and the Jerk. Some of these dances are named
with localities. What we call the Frug is often called the
Surf, Big Bea and Thunderbird, with the Swim being born out of
it. What we call the Watusi is also known as Wabble and Waddle.
The Monkey, Dog, Bump and Jerk fall roughly into the same
category.
Gallop
Think of a horse and
then remember that it is similar to the "slipping-step",
but executed forward. It is a step on one foot, followed by a
rapid closing of the trailing foot. It is danced in uneven rhythm,
which comes natural to many caucasian people. The same foot
leads on each gallop step. Donkeys seldom gallop, as they are
known to have a stubborn streak and move quite slowly.
Grapevine
This is a sideward movement
in which the trailing foot may cross behind or in front
of the leading foot, or may alternate crossing in front and
then behind or behind and then in front. The step may be started
with a sideward step, moving the body in the direction of the
originating foot, or it may be started by crossing one foot
over the other, in which case the body moves in the direction
of the crossing foot. If all else fails, step out of the line
and/or follow the person beside you with a brave smile! Oh…it
is also something which grows grapes.
Gypsy
It has nothing to do with
tramps or thieves as Cher would have us believe. It is when
two dancers move around each other in a circular path facing
outward or towards the center as directed. More often, the pair
looks each other in the eyes and walks around each other in the
designated direction, without touching each other. The amount
of eye contact depends on various factors including individual
comfort, how good looking he or she is, the smell of their
breath and local tradition.
Gumboot Dance
The slave
laborers in the gold mines of South Africa developed their own language
by slapping their gumboots and rattling their ankle chains. In
time it has developed into a truly unique dance form. It has
absolutely nothing to do with gum on one's boots or the dance
which often follows, in the attempt to remove it. For this
situation, an ice pack is said to be more effective to removing
the gum than dancing.
Halay
A very popular Turkish
square dance. Participants join hands, making a circle. The music
and the dance start slowly but gets faster and faster. It is
danced with the accompaniment of a drum and shrill pipe. The
halay is danced especially on holidays and wedding days. It
starts with a folk song, sang by the drummer in general. The origin
of the halay is in the west and south of Turkey.
Hambo
A traditional Swedish
couple dance, originating in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It
is danced in ¾ time, to music played with a strong accent on
the first beat and a tempo that varies from moderate to
fast. When danced to a quicker tune, it involves a lot of
spinning around and should never be danced immediately after eating
a large meal.
Heel
A man's idea of beauty and
a woman's idea of pain. In dancing terms, however, it
means to touch the floor with the heel of your foot, toe
raised, without taking weight and usually executed either forward
or diagonally forward and to the side.
Heel Clicks
An
action where the weight is on the balls of both feet and the
heels lift from the floor and hit each other. It can also occur
in older persons whenver they walk across the floor. It is
usually not painful, but an irritating noise to many.
Hip Bumps
A dance move, generally
referred to in its shortened version, "The Bump",
that was believed to have went out of fashion in the 1970s. It
still reappears occasionally amongst geriatrics. More commonly
however, it now refers to a movement in which the hip moves out
and back in a quick fashion without coming into contact with
the neighbour or dancer beside you (which seems rather
pointless).
Hokey Cokey
The correct spellings for what Americans refer to as the "Hokey Pokey."
(NOTE: Webmaster is British)
Honour
Facing opposite dancer, lady curtsies and the man bows. It is also something that has
been removed from many wedding vows.
Hop
Not to be confused with a jump (see jump). A hop is a spring from the ground on ONE foot, returning to
the ground with weight on the same foot.
Hornpipe
A lively British
dance typically performed by one person, and is often danced wearing
a hard shoe. The form dates back to the mid-18th century or
earlier, but became much more popular in the early 19th century.
Perhaps the best known example is the Sailor's Hornpipe, which
imitates the life of a sailor and their duties aboard ship.
Due to the small space the dance required, and no need for a
partner, the dance was popular on-board ship.
Hula
Originally a sacred
dance of Hawaii supposedly created by the younger volcano Kala to please
his sister Pele. In due time its varied interpretation also
served to please the visiting sailors which did not please the
missionaries who promptly banned it. Despite this blight, it
has been revived and is now more popular than ever. It is in
4/4 meter, interprets stories by the use of arms, hands and
facial expression. The basic step is a chasse' during which
the hips undulate.
Hustle
A number of similar
style disco dances which had its beginning in the mid-70's and
enjoys some continuing popularity as a swing style today. The
record "Do The Hustle" was followed by the movie
"Saturday Night Fever." The movie portrayal of partner dancing
by John Travolta to the popular beat of top selling
music from the Bee Gees and the introduction to America of the
discotheque setting, popular for some years in Europe, took
America by storm. Flashing lights, mirrors everywhere, loud
throbbing beat, and high fashion were in. Large numbers of popular
discos sprang up in every city and everyone was waiting in
line to dance.
Improper
A longways set is "improper" if any of the men are on the ladies’ side or any of the ladies
are on the men’s side of the set, unless you are in San Francisco where it doesn't matter.
Irish Hey
A
greeting by a gay person from Belfast, who has visited the southern USA
(It must be pronounced
with a long "A" sound and is often followed by the word
"girlfriend"). It could also be an Irish dance, a round or figure
dance. (see Straight Hey)
Jarabe
The Jarabes are
typical Mexican Folk dances. Usually done by a couple, it depicts a
flirtation
and conquest. It is well known in America by its other name,
"The Mexican Hat Dance." The Mexican Jarabe is a descendant
of the Spanish Zapateado, and its rhythm resembles that of a
Mazurka. It is in 3/4 time.
Jump
Not to be
confused with a hop (see hop or flea hop). A jump is a spring from the
ground on one or both
feet, landing with the weight on both feet temporarily, and
with the ankle and knee bend absorbing the shock (of doing it
correctly)!
Kaka
Sometimes spelled
"Caca," it is the foul smelling substance found in babies nappies
(diapers) at the most inconvenient of times. Synonyms: poo-poo,
doo-doo, poopy, number 2. Antonyms: wee-wee, pee-pee, tinkle,
number one. It is also a picturesque Togolese dance of the
coastal areas, carried out with pieces of bamboo. (Note: If travelling
to Togo, do not tell your host you need to do "kaka." The
musicians will start playing and you will be expected
to produce "kaka.")
Kolo
A Slavic dance performed in a circle with origins to the late 18th century. It is Serbo-Croat,
literally meaning "wheel."
Lambada
A samba-derived dance from the northeast coast of Brazil. The exciting look of this
dance on European television took the continent by storm in the late 1980s.
Leap
Similar to
a "hop", inasmuch as it is a spring from the ground on one foot.
However, you return to the
ground with the weight on the opposite foot, landing on the
ball of the foot and absorbing the shock through the ankle and
bent knee. Seeing that it is a "leap", it happens correctly
usually once every four years.
Lindy Hop
Named by Ray
Bolger, after Colonel Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic. This
Swing had as much "getting into the air" as possible. However,
the violently acrobatic style used for exhibitions
is not the same as the quietly rhythmic Lindy enjoyed by good
dancers on the ballroom floor. The rhythmic patterns takes
place over two measures of music. The more acrobatic versions
were limited to ballrooms of which the most famous was the
New York's Savoy Harlem. At one time the Jitterbug included
the Charleston, Black Bottom, Shag and Lindy Hop. It has
now been consolidated into Lindy Hop in eastern U.S. and on
the west coast the West Coast Swing.
LOD
Refers to the "Line of Dance" or "Line of Direction", typically meaning to face and moving CCW (anti/counter-clockwise) around the room and sometimes referred to as "Forward".
Longways Set
A line of men facing their partners in a parallel line of ladies. The left most man in his line
is at the top of the set which should be the end nearest to the music.
Mazurka
A Polish dance
consisting of two steps with the free foot displacing the supporting
foot on the second step, followed by a hop on the new
supporting foot. Left, cut (R), hop (R), or right, cut (L), hop (L).
It is danced in even time, but with 3 steps to the measure. On
the hop, the heel of the free foot is crossed over in front
of the supporting leg. If confused, skip it.
Mixer
Anything blended with
tequila, rum, whiskey, gin or other hard beverages. After which
(when drank in large quantities) it is a dance or dance pattern
where partners are switched (for the sole purpose of dancing
with somebody else) and has nothing to do with "swinging."
Morris Dance
An English folk dance that appeared in the fifteenth century, in which dancers wore bells on their
legs and characters included a fool, a boy on a hobby horse, and a man in blackface.
Neighbour
The nearest person
of opposite gender other than partner, usually immediately
to your side. It can also be that irritating person who has a
barking dog and ignores it, or the creepy person who peers through
the fence hole when you are trying to sunbathe. The latter two
are known as 'bad' neighbours.
Open Position
A swingers favourite position. With regards to dance though…partners stand
side-by-side and join inside hands, generally facing LOD (Line of Dance).
Open Promenade
Right-
The couple are in Open Dance Position. The lady is to the right of the
man. The
lady's left hand is held in the man's right. They are facing
the same direction, both traveling down the line of dance (LOD).
Left-
The couple are in Open Dance Position. The lady is to the left
of the man. The lady's right hand is held in the man's left.
They are facing the same direction, both traveling down the
line of dance (LOD).
Pas de Basque
This is a fancy French name for a two-step moving sideways. The timing is
exactly the same. To Pas de
Basque left, leap onto the left foot, cross the right foot over
in front of the left foot and momentarily, while in mid-air
and breathing comfortably, take the weight on it, then quickly
step on the left foot in place. To Pas de Basque right, reverse
the above.
Pivot
A turn on the ball of the weighted foot up to a maximum of 1/2 turn or 180°.
Plié
A movement in which the knees are bent while the back is held straight.
Point
Pointing is rude. Don't
do it. However, if you insist, you may touch the floor with
the pointed toes without taking weight. The toe may touch
backward, sideward, forward or across in the front of the supporting
foot. Pointing and giggling is even more rude.
Polka
This is a springy two-step, preceded by a hop on the supporting foot on the up-beat.
Promenade
From Closed dance position, the man and the lady step forward in a "V" position down the line of
dance. See Open Promenade
Quadrille
Four
couples standing on the sides of a square and facing the center of the
set, ladies on the right
of their partners. The couples are usually numbered in the
order in which they take the lead in the dance. The top couple
is couple 1, the bottom couple is couple 2, the couple to the
right of the top couple is couple 3 and the remaining couple
is couple 4. Sometimes other couple numbering is used for a
particular dance.
Quick, Quick
A majority of men's approach to foreplay and sexual intimacy (image not available
on this website). On the dance floor, however, it is represented by a "Double Rhythm Unit" which is 2 steps to 2
beats of music. In 4/4 time a "Quick Quick" would be 2 steps to 2 beats of music (stepping on each beat) and a Slow
would be 1 step to two beats of music (stepping on the first beat).
Raks Sharki
Belly dance or Oriental dance. It’s one of the world’s oldest dance
forms. Common throughout the Middle East and North Africa and recently gained in popularity throughout the west.
RLOD
Refers to the "Reverse Line of Dance" or "Reverse Line of Direction", typically meaning to face and moving
CW (clockwise) around the room and sometimes referred to as "Back" or "Backward."
Rolling Turn
A 3/4 to full turn, while progressing in any given direction usually requiring 3 to 4 steps. It
can also happen when you are not paying attention on the dance floor, and can be rather embarrassing.
Samba
This Brazilian dance
was first introduced in 1917 but was finally adopted by Brazilian
society in 1930 as a ballroom dance. It is sometimes referred
to as a Samba, Carioca, a Baion or a Batucado. The difference
is mostly in the tempo played since the steps in all three
dance are very similar. The style is to bounce steadily and smoothly
in 2/4 meter. The Samba was introduced in the United States in
1939 by the late Carmen Miranda.
Schottische
Sounds like someone who has had too many mixers and is referring to a
native from Scotland. It
involves three steps followed by a hop on the supporting foot.
On the hop, the free foot may execute a swing. It is danced
in even rhythm, and may be executed forward, backward, sideward
or turning. On the second step, the free foot may be closed
to the supporting foot, or may move past the supporting foot
before taking the weight.
Scissors
Spring
to the right foot as the left foot kicks forward then spring to the
left foot as the right
foot kicks forward. The body weight usually rests on the back
foot but can rest on the front or both feet. You spring on the
spot and the legs alternately kick forward and may touch the
ground with the toe, heel or whole foot. The scissors appear
in many rhythms.
Semi-closed Position
From a closed position, both dancers turn to face forward around the room, maintaining
the same arm and hand positions.
Shadow Position
Both partners face the same general direction, one of them squarely behind or
slightly shifted sideways ("in the shadow"). Sometimes referred to as "skaters position."
Shag
A word
that was made popular again by the Austin Power's films. The meaning is
not able to be published
on this website. Neither should it be confused with the
Carolina Shag, which is a slow laid back type of Swing that became
popular in the late 30's along with the Jitterbug and Lindy
Hop. The dance was done to up-tempo Swing or Foxtrot music and
was instantly recognizable by the flicking of the feet
backwards with a pronounced hopping action.
Shimmy
Started as an African-American dance of the late 1880's. It is a shaking of the shoulders
and a whole body. First recreated by Gilda Gray.
Shoulder Hold
A row of dancers (usually men because they don't like holding hands) side by side, with arms straight and hands on the shoulders of
neighbours.
Siding
Two dancers face, and dance forward and back, passing left shoulders as they dance forward (turn to
left on 3rd step to continue facing partner), and right shoulders as they return (turn to right on third step).
Single Circle
All dancers stand in a circle, either with or without hands joined, and
regardless of sex or
sexual orientation. Variations: circles consists of couples,
with lady on the man's right; dancers face center; dancers face
clockwise; dancers face anti/counter-clockwise; dancers face
out (backs to center)... You get the idea!
Slipping or Sliding
Something very easy to do when dancing on a newly finished floor! This
is a step to the
right or left, with the leading foot followed by the other foot
closing to it and taking weight. The tempo is quick and uneven,
with the leading foot moving quickly to the side after the
trailing foot has closed. The feet remain near the floor and the
legs are only slightly separated. The leading foot lands on the
accented beat and the trailing foot takes the weight only
long enough to move the free foot out to the side again.
Square Dance
An American folk dance with an even number of couples forming a square, two lines,
or a circle. The dance is comprised of figures announced by a caller.
Straight Hey
No such thing. (See Irish Hey)
Strathspey
A slow Scottish dance coming from the name of the valley of the Spey River in Scotland,
danced in four-four time. It is similar to the British hornpipe, but slower and more
stately.
Supporting Leg
A term used by dancers and teachers for the leg which supports the body so that
the working leg is free to execute a given movement; a little like a supporting actor.
Sway
A tilt of the chest to the side, without lowering the torso or stretching from the
side upwards.
Sword Dance
One of the three
chief English dances of Medieval times. It was a ritualistic and
ceremonial drama danced by men with swords and elaborate
costumes while parading through the streets. It depicted the death
of the old year, of Winter, and of scarcity. It heralded in the
New Year, with hope of Spring and plenty. To symbolize the
death of Winter, someone must always "die" and be brought to
life again as a portrayal of death and resurrection.
Tarantella
A rapid Italian whirling dance originating in southern Italy in the 19th century
from the seaport "Taranto." It was so named because it was thought to be a cure for tarantism. See "tarantism."
Tarantism
A psychological
illness characterized by an extreme impulse to dance, prevalent in
Southern Italy from the 15th to the 17th century, and widely
believed at the time to have been caused by the bite of a tarantula.
Tcherkessia
Step right foot forward, step left foot in place, step right foot backward, step left foot in place.
Half Tcherkessia:
Step right foot forward, step left foot in place.
Double Tcherkessia:
Step right foot across in front of left foot, step left foot in place, close right foot to left
foot. Step left foot across in front of right foot, step right foot in place, close left foot to right foot.
Texas Two-Step
A fast
traveling dance with many turns and normally danced to country music
with
a tempo range of 170-200 beats per minute. The basic step is
like walking, except the timing is quick, quick, slow, slow.
Turkey Trot
What turkeys do
as Thanksgiving arrives to escape a most certain death. The Turkey
Trot was also a dance done to fast ragtime music popular in
the decade from 1900 to 1910 such as Scott Joplin's Maple
Leaf Rag, etc. The basic step consisted of four hopping steps
sideways first on one leg, then the other. It achieved popularity
chiefly as a result of its being denounced by the Vatican.
The dance was embellished with scissor-like flicks of the feet
and fast trotting actions with abrupt stops.
Twist
This dance was written
by an African American musician in Georgia in 1958. He and his
band members made up some twisting movements for the musicians
to do while playing the music. Then in 1960, Chubby Checker
made his first twist record, and made the Twist famous in
Philadelphia. Twist came to New York via Philadelphia and New Jersey
and then spread throughout most countries.
Two-Step
A step
with one foot, followed by a closing of the other foot, and again a
step with the originating
foot. (Left, right, left or Right, left, right). To confuse
matters, it may be danced forward, backward, sidewards, or while
turning. The rhythm is quick-quick slow, quick-quick slow.
V-Hold
A row or circle of dancers, side by side, with arms sloping down and hands joined with neighbours. There
is a slight gap between dancers so that arms look like the letter "V", otherwise it would be called a "W" hold!
Varsouvienne
Couples stand side-by-side, left hands joined in front of man's body
(man's palm up), with man's
right arm behind partner's shoulders and holding partner's
right hand above her right shoulder. Lady's right hand faces forward
with the back of the hand resting against man's palm.
Village Variations
When you screw-up royally and you don't want anyone to know, you claim that in your "village" the dance is done like you just did it. A form of relieving embarrassment.
W-Hold
A row or
circle of dancers, side by side, with elbows bent and hands joined with
neighbours at shoulder
height. Hands are slightly forward, creating a formation that
looks like the letter "W", otherwise, it would be called a "V"
hold!
Waltz
Three
steps in which the free foot is closed to the supporting foot on the
third step. It is danced in
even time, but with either three or six steps to the measure.
It may be danced forward, backward, sideward, or while turning.
Seldom is it done upside down!
Weight
You may hear it said
either, "No weight", "no body weight", "full
weight", etc. Weight refers the position a dancer finds
him/her-self at the end of the step. The dancer's center of
gravity is directly over the support foot. A simple test for a
full weight transfer is that you can freely lift the second
foot off the floor. Over-weight is a curse of the American
culture. Dead-weight is usually the result of 'over-weight.' Both
greatly hinder the dancer for performing well or thoroughly
enjoying the dance experience.
Yemenite (right)
A
person who comes from the country of Yemen. In dance terms, step to the
right with the right
foot, bending the knee. Step on the left foot slightly behind
the right foot with straight leg and on the ball of the foot.
Step with right foot back to starting position. Hold (or
close left foot). May be “repeated” with a yemenite
left, ie. opposite footwork and opposite sideways directions.