Re: Taw
I don't know much of the history, but I do remember hearing the phrase
"pretty little taw" in some square calls. I thought that the word in
square calls came from the fact that a "taw" was a marble and also used for
the game of marbles. A "pretty little taw" was also a bright shiny marble
that a guy might keep in his collection of marbles. I can see why it might
be considered derogatory now.
On Thu, Jul 20, 2017 at 8:08 AM, john(a)modernjive.com [trad-dance-callers] <
trad-dance-callers(a)yahoogroups.com> wrote:
Hi,
I am doing some research into the Walk Around/Gypsy move.
In “Sets in Order” Vol. 1 No. 3 February 1949, page 14:
“popular Texas filler: All around your left hand lady, (Passing right
shoulders so a do-sa-do around your corner) See saw your pretty little taw
(passing left shoulder, the men go around their partners and back to place)"
The current CallerLab Modern Western Square Dancing definition is:
“Walk Around the Corner: Dancers face their corners. Walking forward and
around each other while keeping right shoulders adjacent, dancers return to
their original position, with their backs toward their corner.” Note: this
was previously known as “All Around the Corner”.
So does anyone know:
How old is All Around/Walk Around?
When did it change from a do-sa-do into a facing, Gypsy-like move?
Or were the do-sa-do and the facing versions just regional variations?
What did Taw mean and why is it no longer used? (I seem to remember
seeing something about it being considered derogatory, or is that just my
lousy memory?)
Pointers to source documents showing any of the answers would be most
appreciated.
Thanks,
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent