What interesting timing for Michael to write "Some terms, such as Rory O'More, petronella and California twirl should be banished for more descriptive phrases--in this case "balance and slide/shift". "

I am about to introduce Mad Robins to my group for the first time in its 15 year history (reminder, we are an island here in Halifax where 99+ percent of the dancers never dance anywhere else)....

and I was feeling reluctant to use the term M.R., since it goes against the principle I try to use  here for our "always lots of beginners" group, of using intuitive, descriptive names for my figures.  But also a bit torn because I do love the term "mad robin" and we will probably only use it in one dance :)

I had been seriously considering the term "Mirror Do-si-do" as an alternative - because to me, this describes the term perfectly - my dancers know what a dosido is, and now they will do one- watching their "reflection" do the same thing across the set.

But! I know that "mirror do si do" unfortunately has another meaning in the lexicon of figures...
I have been weighing the decision because I am quite sure 99-100 percent of the dancers have never danced a real mirror do si do, and I feel 96-100 percent of them will never go on to do so.

I thought I might even introduce the concept saying "just for your interest/in case you go on to dance anywhere else, in the bigger contra dancing world, this figure is called a " mad robin" and a "mirror do si do" is something different..."

I think Michael's comment has emboldened me to go down this route :)

Kat in Hfx NS Canada