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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: mijath on Tuesday 23 January 24 21:22 GMT (UK)

Title: What was a "toss of the coin" dance?
Post by: mijath on Tuesday 23 January 24 21:22 GMT (UK)
I found a newspaper report of a village dance in 1936 and it mentions a "toss of the coin" dance being won by a couple.

This is perhaps a silly question - but what exactly does that mean?

Title: Re: What was a "toss of the coin" dance?
Post by: Top-of-the-hill on Tuesday 23 January 24 22:10 GMT (UK)
  I can't help with that, as I have been similarly baffled by some of the games played at 1930s socials and dances!
Title: Re: What was a "toss of the coin" dance?
Post by: mckha489 on Tuesday 23 January 24 22:49 GMT (UK)
I think it was an elimination dance/game

Sort of musical chairs really.

And I imagine if you were not an exhibitionist you didn’t want to end up being the last couple on the floor!!
Title: Re: What was a "toss of the coin" dance?
Post by: mazi on Wednesday 24 January 24 12:28 GMT (UK)


Quote from: mckha489 on Tuesday 23 January 24 22:49 GMT (UK)


Sort of musical chairs really.

And I imagine if you were not an exhibitionist you didn’t want to end up being the last couple on the floor!!


It’s still popular today in one form or another,  that’s why there is a sudden rush to use the facilities as soon as it’s announced.

What is worse is if you win,  the “prize” is usually something hideous left over from last months raffle.

Been there done that :) :) ;)

Mike
Title: Re: What was a "toss of the coin" dance?
Post by: MollyC on Wednesday 24 January 24 13:57 GMT (UK)
I remember hearing an account of an elimination dance about 1954, when dancers were told the last couple standing would be given a parcel containing a pair of bloomers, which would have to be worn for the remainder of the evening.  The "pair of bloomers" turned out to be two carnations.
Title: Re: What was a "toss of the coin" dance?
Post by: Top-of-the-hill on Wednesday 24 January 24 17:27 GMT (UK)
  How were dancers eliminated? I can't see where the toss of a coin would come in?
Title: Re: What was a "toss of the coin" dance?
Post by: gaffy on Wednesday 24 January 24 18:49 GMT (UK)
There are various old newspaper references to the 'coin dance', could that be the same thing? Usually mentioned in the context of a list of other winners during a dance, for example, winners of the spot dance, the card dance, the balloon dance and the coin dance.

Title: Re: What was a "toss of the coin" dance?
Post by: mckha489 on Wednesday 24 January 24 19:13 GMT (UK)
Quote from: Top-of-the-hill on Wednesday 24 January 24 17:27 GMT (UK)
  How were dancers eliminated? I can't see where the toss of a coin would come in?

I THINK each couple was somehow assigned heads or tails.   Then at intervals the coin was tossed.  Obviously the assigning would have to be repeated after each toss.
(I am basing this off a memory from school ‘social’ in 1967 when I was 10, so I could be completely wrong!)