taxi-dancer
Definition
Noun: A "taxi-dancer" refers to a woman who is employed by a dance hall or nightclub to dance with patrons for a fee, typically paid per dance. The term is derived from the analogy of a taxi, which charges per trip or distance traveled, reflecting the transactional nature of the interaction.
Usage Examples
- (A woman paid to dance with patrons for a fee per dance.)
- (A professional dancer in a commercial setting.)
Advanced Usage
- "taxi-dancer" in historical context: The term was especially common in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s, when dance halls and "taxi dance" businesses thrived.
- In the era of Prohibition, taxi-dancers were often seen as symbols of the changing social norms and the rise of commercial entertainment. (Historical reference to the role of these dancers in society.)
Variants and Related Words
Taxi dance (n): a dance performed in a commercial setting where a patron pays for the company of a dancer.
- The taxi dance was a popular form of entertainment in urban nightspots. (A specific type of paid dance.)
Dance hall (n): a venue where taxi-dancers are employed and patrons pay to dance.
- The dance hall was filled with taxi-dancers and eager customers. (The physical location of such activities.)
Synonyms
- Paid dancer: a dancer who receives compensation for dancing with customers.
- Professional dancer: a person who dances as a profession, though this term is broader and not limited to transactional settings.
Related Idioms
- "Dance for a dime": an idiomatic expression referring to the low cost of a dance with a taxi-dancer, often used to describe the cheap, transactional nature of such entertainment.
- In the old days, you could dance for a dime with a taxi-dancer. (A phrase highlighting the modest fee.)
Additional Notes
- The term "taxi-dancer" is largely historical and is rarely used in modern contexts. It reflects a specific social and economic phenomenon from the early 20th century, where women provided companionship through dance in exchange for money.