Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
rug-cutting

rug-cutting

1 8.7
A lively, skilled dance that shows energy and enthusiasm
  • noun
  • /rʌgˈkʌtɪŋ/
  • Archaic
translation icon : bailar
  • He was famous for his spontaneous rug-cutting whenever the band played his favorite song.

Examples

  • Old swing music often brings out some serious rug-cutting from the crowd.

  • The crowd was amazed by his rug-cutting skills.

  • The couple amazed everyone with their rug-cutting at the wedding reception.

  • She loves rug-cutting at parties.

  • At the party, everyone was rug-cutting on the dance floor, showcasing their best moves.

  • He enjoyed rug-cutting at the club, impressing everyone with his energetic style.

  • After a few drinks, they started rug-cutting to the upbeat music, laughing and enjoying themselves.

Synonyms

dancing
vsrug-cutting
758 1.0

Moving your body in time to music for fun with other people

is more energetic and skillful, showing strong enthusiasm and ability

How Energetic

rug-cutting
  • Archaic
1 8.7
to boogie
  • Informal
28 7.5
to dance
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

rug-cutting singular
rug-cuttings plural

Morphology

rug-cutting = rug + cut (opaque) = rug + cut + ing

Derived from the colloquial idiom 'cut a rug' meaning 'to dance'; the combination of 'rug' + 'cut(ting)' does not transparently yield 'dancing'.

Etymology

The word rug-cutting comes from the old phrase 'cutting a rug', which paints a funny picture of someone dancing so fast and well it looks like they could 'cut' the carpet. Musicians also used 'cutting' to mean showing skill in a contest, so rug-cutting now means lively, showy dancing full of energy and skill.