DCHP-3

butterfly

DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)

Spelling variants:
Butterfly

n. — Social customs

a dance done in trios as a variation of square-dancing, sometimes performed at weddings.

Type: 3. Semantic Change — The butterfly dance was introduced and popularized in Canada by immigrant arrivals of Slavic and German origin, which explains its prevalence in the locations in the quotation evidence.
See also COD-2, s.v. "butterfly" (6), which is marked "Cdn".
See: kubasa

Quotations

1974
Besides jiving, which is done hesitantly, kids in Regina and Edmonton are waltzing, and in Winnipeg and Halifax they’re barn-dancing to the polka and butterfly (a square dance for three).
1986
But Mr. Fotheringham begged off dancing in the so-called world's largest butterfly dance. The dance, based on a traditional Cree dance, is done by three people and is a variation on square-dancing. The Southam newspaper columnist said: ''You have to be from Saskatoon to do the butterfly.''
2001
But, in fact, she claims that when given half a chance she can make almost anyone, no matter how cool, jump to a fiddle, allemande to an accordion and learn to love the Butterfly Dance.
2013
I mostly know the Butterfly from dancing it in my youth in Alberta. Everybody knew this dance, and it was usually done two or three times in an evening. In my research for the book, I didn't find much historical information about the dance, except that it is probably related to a dance called Studentenpolka. The dance is such a simple, logical sequence that it is not surprising that it exists in many forms in many cultures.
2014
Anyone who has ever lived on the Canadian prairies knows what I'm talking about. At every wedding you will experience a repertoire of dances that reflects the ethnic origins of the original settlers: Czech, Polish, German, Scandinavian, Ukrainian. These include the Polka, Waltz, Two-step, Foxtrot, Schottische, Heel-toe polka, French Minuet, Seven Step, and everyone?s favourite, the Butterfly.

References

  • COD-2