Hi all,

             Yes, energetic dancers do “circular sashays” in ECD and Cedilidh and Barn Dance – we call it a Slip Circle.

             “Sashay” meaning a “linear sideways gallop” is a Gallop!  Americans use the wrong word :-)  Check your dictionary: Sashay: Walk in an ostentatious yet casual manner, typically with exaggerated movements of the hips and shoulders.

             It is nice to know that we have been Galloping for a long time; pre-1650: “the first man shall take his woeman by both hands and shall leade her down side long, allmost to ye bottome, very quickly”!

             “Sashay round your corner” – see https://contrafusion.co.uk/Gypsy.html#A1

             My understanding is:

Chassee, Slip, Gallop and Sashay all mean make your feet go Side-Together-Side-Together.  The difference is:

Chassee: Alone, or as a couple, step slowly to the side in the indicated direction with the leading foot, then bring the other foot together with it. This is a normally a slow movement at half the speed of a Slip or Gallop (but a choreographer might use it to mean Gallop).

Slip: Alone or in lines or circles, step quickly to the side.

Gallop: As a couple, step quickly to the side.

Sashay: Used by Americans usually to mean Gallop, but could be any of the above depending on the context.  (I would personally never use it in a dance description – substitute the “correct” term!). :-)

            Happy dancing,

                   John

John Sweeney, Dancer, England   john@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574

http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent