[Callers] yet another gypsy substitute (YAGS)

I just had a thought for another possible substitute if we need to replace the term "gypsy". This would be "vis-a-vis" (face to face). I like this since it is in some sense similar to dos-a-dos (back to back) and makes them complimentary figures. I think it suggests the importance of facing the person you are dancing with, making eye contact, though not necessarily staring, during the figure. Since many of the figure names in country dance come from French words, sometimes corrupted by time and the folk process, it seems reasonable to borrow another French term. I'm not aware of this term already being used for some other dance figure, let me know if it is. Even though it has 3 syllables instead of 2 I kind of like the sound of "vis-a-vis and swing!" Just putting it out there for your consideration. Jonathan ----- Jonathan Sivier Caller of Contra, Square, English and Early American Dances jsivier AT illinois DOT edu Dance Page: http://www.sivier.me/dance_leader.html ----- Q: How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? A: It depends on what dance you call!