buck-and-wing
Definition
Noun: A fast and rhythmic solo tap dance characterized by vigorous, sharp, and emphatic foot taps, often incorporating elements of wing steps (where the dancer creates a wing-like sound by brushing the foot out and clicking the heels).
Usage
The term "buck-and-wing" specifically refers to a style of percussive dance. It is used as a singular noun to name the dance itself. * The dancer's performance of the classic buck-and-wing brought the audience to its feet. * He is studying the history of the buck-and-wing in American vernacular dance.
Examples
- The vaudeville star was famous for his energetic buck-and-wing.
- Learning the buck-and-wing requires mastering complex, syncopated rhythms with the feet.
Advanced Usage
- The term is historically significant in the development of American tap dance, often associated with minstrel and vaudeville shows of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- It is sometimes described as a precursor to modern rhythm tap.
Variants and Related Words
- Buck dancing (n): A broader term for a style of solo folk dance that involves flat-footed, percussive steps, often considered a foundational element of the buck-and-wing.
- Wing (n): In tap dance, a step where the dancer jumps and clicks the heels together in the air or brushes one foot out to the side to create a specific "wing" sound, a key component of the buck-and-wing.
Synonyms
- Tap dance (though this is a much broader category)
- Percussive dance
Related Idioms or Phrases
- To cut a buck-and-wing: An informal, older phrase meaning to perform this dance with skill and flair.
- The old performer could still cut a mean buck-and-wing on stage.
Noun
-
a solo tap dance emphasizing sharp taps
