tea-dance
Definition
Noun: - A social event in the afternoon: A "tea-dance" is a social gathering held in the late afternoon or early evening, typically featuring tea, light refreshments, and dancing. It was especially popular in the early to mid-20th century.
Usage Examples
- (A social event with tea and dancing.)
- (A regularly scheduled afternoon dance event.)
Advanced Usage
- "to host a tea-dance": to organize or sponsor such an event.
- The charity committee decided to host a tea-dance to raise funds for the local library. (They planned an afternoon dance fundraiser.)
- "tea-dance etiquette": the accepted manners and customs associated with these events.
- In the 1920s, tea-dance etiquette required gentlemen to ask for a dance card. (Social rules specific to the tea-dance.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tea dance (variant spelling): the same event, often written as two words.
- The hotel's tea dance is famous for its cucumber sandwiches. (The same kind of event.)
- Tea-dancer (n): a person who attends or participates in a tea-dance.
- She was a regular tea-dancer at the local community centre. (Someone who frequently attends tea-dances.)
Synonyms
- Afternoon dance: a dance held in the afternoon.
- Social tea: a tea party with a social or dance component (less common).
- Thé dansant (from French): a formal term for a tea-dance, used in some contexts.
Related Idioms
- A formal tea-dance is not my cup of tea; I prefer casual gatherings. (The idiom "not my cup of tea" means something is not to one's liking.)