rigadoon

[prettygoodword]

rigadoon - n., a formerly popular couple's dance in a lively duple meter.


Popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, and was performed with a lively step. Of Provencal origins, so it's not surprising to learn it's from French, rigaudon, though before that it's more obscure -- most likely, though, is that it's from the name Rigaud.

---L.

Comments

[pdlloyd.livejournal.com]

The first thing that came to my mind when I saw today's word was an old movie I watched once, as a kid. After some searching and a bit of thought, I realized I was thinking of Brigadoon, which was a musical. The Wikipedia article about the story gives some interesting neep about the story origins.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Heh. I've been introducing the word in person with "not to be confused with Brigadoon." I should have added it to the entry.

---L.