cancan

[ kan-kan ]

noun

1. a lively high kicking dance that came into vogue about 1830 in Paris and after 1844 was used as an exhibition dance.

cancan

/ ˈkænˌkæn /

noun

1. a high-kicking dance performed by a female chorus, originating in the music halls of 19th-century Paris

Word History and Origins

Origin of cancan¹

1840–50; < French, repetitive compound (based on can ) said to be nursery variant of canard duck; canard

Word History and Origins

Origin of cancan¹

C19: from French, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

As we were all decidedly gay, somebody proposed dancing the cancan—the real thing.

From Project Gutenberg

One young woman startles the crowd by announcing that she will dance the cancan for half a dollar.

From Project Gutenberg

The music starts up just then, and she determines to do the cancan and risk the collection afterward.

From Project Gutenberg

Conducted by the Chevalier de Valois, a most able leader of an orchestra of this kind, the opening of the cancan was magnificent.

From Project Gutenberg

As yet, the two little women had ventured upon nothing more than permissible cancan steps.

From Project Gutenberg