Charleston orig. U.S.
(ˈtʃɑːlstən, -lz-)
Also charleston.
[f. Charleston, the capital city of Charleston county, S. Carolina, U.S.]
A ballroom dance characterized by side kicks from the knee. Hence ˈCharleston v. intr., to dance the Charleston; ˈCharlestoner; ˈCharlestoning ppl. a. and vbl. n.
| 1923 C. Mack & J. Johnson (title of song) Charleston. 1925 N.Y. Times 26 July 23/2, I have no objection to a person dancing their feet and head off,..but I think it best that they keep away from the Charleston. 1926 Glasgow Herald 7 June 8 In these days of fox trots and Charlestons it is refreshing to watch such clean dancing. 1927 Punch 9 Feb. 168/1 Charlestoning nymphs. 1927 Daily Mail 7 Apr. 10/7 Charlestoners can Charleston quite as well to it. 1928 D. H. Lawrence Phoenix II (1968) 525 ‘Do you Charleston?’ she said. 1958 B. Nichols Sweet & Twenties xi. 139 The Charleston and Rock 'n Roll; is there so much difference after all? 1964 Punch 20 May 762/3 A world of knobbly knees and Charlestoning. |