Cut A Rug Etymology

Quick stepping dancers are said to cut a rug.

Cut a rug etymology.

Cutting a rug does indeed refer to dancing. 1991 ron alexander a step back to supper clubs and swing new york times 15 dec. Figurative expression pull the rug out from under someone suddenly deprive of important support is from 1936 american english. Cut a or the rug dance typically in an energetic or accomplished way.

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. Like most slang the origins of cut a rug as a synonym for dancing are disputed. This is often the case with slang which sometimes seems to catch on overnight. 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.

Use a straight edge 1 1 2 2 from the crease and score the rug. 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. Posted by baceseras on june 04 2011 at 14 27. Cut a rug posted by esc on june 02 2011 at 00 42.

To dance in an energetic way he s not young anymore but he can still cut a rug on the dance floor. To dance really well and impress others. Now you are ready to cut. To sweep something under the rug in the figurative sense is from 1954.

Definition of cut a rug old fashioned slang. I was wondering if anyone knew the origin of the phrase cut a rug meaning to dance or to dance well. Several competing theories to explain the idea have been bandied about but none have been firmly proved. For example john can really cut a rug.

Hopefully the picture below explains it better. Cut a rug dance is slang first attested 1942.