Cut A Rug Etymology

For example john can really cut a rug.

Cut a rug etymology.

Hopefully the picture below explains it better. To sweep something under the rug in the figurative sense is from 1954. To cut a rug is a term that became popular jargon in the 1920 s when young persons much as they do today developed their own jargon or slang for use in their own peer groups. Quick stepping dancers are said to cut a rug.

Earlier in same sense was cut the grass under one s feet 1580s. Like most slang the origins of cut a rug as a synonym for dancing are disputed. Cut a rug dance is slang first attested 1942. This is often the case with slang which sometimes seems to catch on overnight.

To dance really well and impress others. At this stage you don t want to cut all the way through then slowly finish cutting through the rug following the score while pulling up on the part you are cutting off. I was wondering if anyone knew the origin of the phrase cut a rug meaning to dance or to dance well. Now you are ready to cut.

It came from jitterbugging in the 1930s when couples danced in an especially vigorous fashion which when done on a carpet gave the impression of cutting or gashing the rug. Several competing theories to explain the idea have been bandied about but none have been firmly proved. Definition of cut a rug old fashioned slang. Use a straight edge 1 1 2 2 from the crease and score the rug.

Cut a rug posted by esc on june 02 2011 at 00 42. Cut a rug idiomatic to dance especially in a vigorous manner and in one of the dance styles of the first half of the twentieth century. Get the cut a rug neck gaiter and mug. To dance in an energetic way he s not young anymore but he can still cut a rug on the dance floor.

Cut a or the rug dance typically in an energetic or accomplished way. Posted by baceseras on june 04 2011 at 14 27.