dance card


Also found in: Wikipedia.

dance card

A list of dance partners. Although the youth of today may find it hard to believe, there was a time when couples that went to a party or a dance danced with other people. This was especially true at proms, cotillions, and balls. In order for a woman, and not just the belle of the ball, to keep track of her partners, she entered their names on a dance card, a small booklet issued by the event's organizers that was attached to the wrist or dress with a thin cord. It was then up to the gentlemen to remember their partners for the evening (men often kept their own lists). As a marginally polite but pointed way to brush someone off, you might smile and say, “I'd love to, but my dance card is filled."
See also: card, dance
References in periodicals archive ?
It contains a number of photographs, a premium bond ticket, and also a Royal Navy officer's dance card from 1948.
CAN YOU HELP RETURN THIS?
Nancy Nathanson filled out her spot on this year's primary election dance card Thursday, announcing that she will try to succeed Mayor Jim Torrey - who announced a day earlier that he would not seek re-election - as Eugene's top elected official.
Nathanson jumps into Eugene mayor's race
The trouble was United off-loaded Les to Spurs just as Shearer was badly injured on Merseyside and they were left as barren as an elephant's dance card.
How we could do with a Big Les
There was also the annual outing to the Forfar Ball, where an old dance card clearly shows that Elizabeth was never off her feet.
THE QUEEN MOTHER 100 YEAR: THE ORIGINAL `IT GIRL'
Nobody's dance card is totally full before the show starts.
Licensing '95: retailers' crystal ball
Meanwhile, he said, the co-ops that have been reviewed by the IRS are settling for favorable amounts with the right to seek a refund later on if his Trump Village case or the Congressional dance card goes their way.
Lawmakers re-try IRS amendments
Called "a virtuosic, erotic sci-fi debut" by Kirkus Reviews, "The Woman Who Sparked the Greatest Sex Scandal of All Time" provides "a full dance card of themes: sex, romance, mystery and a grim peek into a devastated future.
New Book Explores Future of Journalism with Passion, Eroticism, Suspense
Report USA Gazelle Stakes G1 Aqueduct, 1m1f dirt, 3yo GODOLPHIN'S select US-based team produced their sixth Grade 1 victory of the year in New York on Saturday when Dance Card ran out an easy winner of the Gazelle Stakes under jockey Ramon Dominguez, who recorded a five-timer on the card at Aqueduct on his 36th birthday, writes Nicholas Godfrey.
Dance Card delivers sixth Grade 1 of the year for Godolphin
Surround yourself with compadres and you'll be guaranteed to have a full dance card for the holidays.
Out in the stars
Your dance card is full as Venus makes herself known to those who might want to take you for a once round, but aren't you looking for something a little more settled?
David Wells
You have a full dance card with more than a dozen projects on the go - what's on your plate just now?
Ghost's stories; Q&A It's game on for former EastEnders star Craig Fairbrass in his latest all-action voice role
One woman ruefully recounts the day "those monsters flew over here from halfway across the world and rearranged my dance card.
FINDING SHELTER IN STORM OF EMOTION
Dannelly's Hollywood dance card is so full, he's having to add projects by Post-It.
Different tokes: Saved! director Brian Dannelly goes from Jesus to joints with Weeds, Showtime's hilarious new series about a dope-dealing suburban mom
The tango is next on Margo Van Ummersen's dance card.
Dance program inspired by the tango
Beyond backstage, Maybelline New York will have a busy fashion week dance card, as per usual
Maybelline New York Falls for a Colorful Lineup During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
Idioms browser ?
Full browser ?