Dance card
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A dance card (also known by its German-language name, Ballspende, plural Ballspenden) is used by a woman to record with whom she will dance each successive dance at a formal ball. They appear to have originated in 18th century, but their use first became widespread in 19th century Vienna, especially at the massive balls during Fasching before Lent.
Nowadays, the expression "dance card" is often used metaphorically, as when someone says "pencil me into your dance card," meaning "find some time to spend with me."
An actual dance card is typically a booklet with a decorative cover, listing dance titles, composers, and the person with whom the woman -- perhaps one should say in this context the lady -- intended to dance. Typically, it would have a decorative cover indicating the sponsoring organization of the ball and a decorative cord by which it could be attached to a lady's wrist or ball gown. During the 19th century and down until World War I, dance cards for the elite of Austria-Hungary were often very elaborate, with some even incorporating precious metal and jewels.
According to the online Dance Card Museum, "the admission fee to Viennese balls was higher for women than for men, to cover the cost of the dance cards." [1]
[edit] External link
- The online Dance Card Museum (a commercial site with numerous illustrations of dance cards)
