bunny hug
Noun: 1. A syncopated ballroom dance formerly popular in the US: A specific style of social dance from the early 20th century, characterized by its syncopated rhythm and close-hold position.
The term "bunny hug" is a historical and highly specific noun. It is used to refer to a particular dance fad. It is not used in modern, general conversation and is primarily found in historical or dance-related contexts.
- The bunny hug was one of the controversial animal dances that became popular in the 1910s.
- Dance halls initially banned the bunny hug because of its close hold and suggestive movements.
- In his book on jazz age culture, the author describes the rise and fall of dances like the bunny hug.
- The "bunny hug" is categorized as a "fad dance" and an "animal dance" (like the turkey trot or grizzly bear) from the Ragtime era.
- Its use is almost exclusively academic or historical. You will not encounter this term describing modern dancing.
- Bunny-hug: An alternative hyphenated spelling of the noun.
- Animal dance: The broader category of early 20th-century dances the bunny hug belonged to.
- Ragtime dance: Dances performed to ragtime music, which includes the bunny hug.
- (None that are direct, common synonyms. Historical descriptions might use "dance" or "Ragtime dance," but these are not specific synonyms.)
CRITICAL NOTE: In modern Canadian English, particularly in the province of Saskatchewan, "bunny hug" is a common regional term for a hooded sweatshirt or hoodie. This is a completely different meaning from the historical dance term. * Example (Canadian Regionalism): "It's cold out, don't forget your bunny hug." This usage is unrelated to the dance definition provided.
- a syncopated ballroom dance formerly popular in the US