cancan

[ kan-kan ]

/ ˈkænˌkæn /

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

Origin of cancan

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

No rag-time was danced in those days, but early in the morning we had plenty of the cancan.

The Autobiography of a Thief |Hutchins Hapgood
The women who disport in the cancan at the same place are simply hired by the season.

Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 15, No. 90, June, 1875 |Various
Only this morning I open the ice box and they were all dancing the cancan.

Marse Henry (Vol. 2) |Henry Watterson
From Sir Thomas's description one would imagine that the Cancan was habitually danced at the balls he frequents.

Red as a Rose is She |Rhoda Broughton

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

Danger! A True History of a Great City's Wiles and Temptations |William Howe

cancan

/ (ˈkænˌkæn) /

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

C19: from French, of uncertain origin