Swing is a umbrella term for a six-count Jazz dance combining African and European moves, starting with the Lindyhop. Originally invented in 1937, the Lindyhop was born from the Charleston and the Black Bottom dances. Many different dances have been included in the Swing style such as the Shag, Truckin', Chicken style, West Coast Swing, and so forth.
All that Jazz
Our Lindy
English to Hep Cat
Are you togged to the bricks?
Couldn't have done it without you
Stop the music?!
About Swing
*Airsteps were started in 1935 by Frankie "Musclehead" Manning, involving flips in the steps.
*Truckin' is a confident shuffle dance that was added by Lindyhoppers when swinging their partner out, often includes shaking your index finger
*Chicken style swing was invented by the 'Truckateers' including chicken-like movements
*Shag is a precurser to Swing danced to Ragtime with a slow-slow-quick-quick rhythm, there are many varieties.
*West Coast Swing is a slower 8-count version of swing invented in California.
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Swing Slang | English Translation |
---|---|
Jitterbug | Person who likes to Swing/A style of Swing |
Cats | Musicans/A Swing Band/A Cool Person |
Hep Cat | Cool Guy |
Chick | Female Cool Person |
Twist/Twirl | Girl who loves to Swing |
Jack/Gate/Pops | Male Friends |
Charley | Guy you just met |
Sam | Girl you just met |
Barbeque | Beautiful Girl |
Barn Burner | Stylish and Classy Woman |
(Ripe) Tomato | Beautiful in many ways girl |
Battle | Ugly Girl |
Kopasetic/Alright | Cool |
Rug Cutter | Good Dancer, a twist movement |
Threads | Clothes |
Gasser | Someone you admire |
Crumb/Fink | Unreliable/Impossible to Respect |
Battle/Jeff/Square | Yarddog (Uncool) |
Icky | Opposite of a Hep Cat |
Original Loser | A person without talent |
Bombsville | Any kind of failure in life |
Killer Diller | Great Thrill |
Togged to the Bricks | Looking good in your clothes |
Creep out like the Shadow | A Smooth Character |
Off the Cobb | Out of date |
Boys' threads
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Girls' threads
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Aww, don't be a yarddog! Let the music flow!