Jitterbug Trivia The catch word "jitterbug" comes from an early 20th-century slang term used0 to describe alcoholics who suffered from the "jitters" (tremors). The term became associated with swing dancers who danced without any control or knowledge of the dance.[3] This term was famously associated with swing era dancers by legendary song stylist and band leader Cab Calloway because, as he put it, "They look like a bunch of jitterbugs out there on the floor," due to their fast and often bouncy movements on the dance floor. In 50's pop culture, it became generalized to mean a swing dancer (e.g., you were a jitterbug), a type of swing dance (e.g., you danced the jitterbug), or the act of swing dancing (e.g., you were jitterbugging).
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In 1957, the American Bandstand featured currently-popular songs, live appearances by musicians, and dancing in the studio. At this time, the most popular fast dance was, in the pre-Beatle pre-British invasion rock & roll era (mid 50's-early 60's) the Jitterbug.
British bop brought about "go-go dancing," essentially doing the Jitterbug, but in one spot (i.e. a cage).
The Jitterbug was, in the 50's, condemned by the Vatican Eucemenical Council of The Catholic Church
as "immoral and indecent."
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Viewer Comments
9.02.10 JitterbugFan, Commerce, TX This is real dancing. Let's bring it back!
9.01.10 maroonseabiscuit, San Antonio, TX Now that is real
dancing. Wish I could do it!
8.12.10 calm43elvis, Middletown, NY
7.13.10 Indprin198, Lincoln, ME like I said, best ever, bring back this music. Many memories.
7.10.10 Slim, Window Rock, AZ greatest dance move ever. Didn't need exercises. Just put on the roll and roll music and off went the pounds.
7.03.10 redrobbin, SC This was the greatest form of exercise! Notice, no 200 pounders. This was before all the processed/fast foods. We need to go back in time!
6.29.10 Sandy, MI Love it!
6.23.10 Lola, TX Love It Love It Love It!
6.23.10 Lou @ oldiestelevision.com responds And whatever Lola wants,
Lola gets! The rest of you boppers, too. Dance studios are sending us more
dances of the 50's and 60's, so keep your Locomotion in gear, grind those Mashed Potatoes,
and keep Jitterbuggin,' Strollin' and Twistin' to oldiestelevision.com!
6.23.10 Casey, CT Great memories. I loved it
6.17.10 roger, MN loved to see, brought back so many memories
6.16.10 Pittpapa, Canada now this is dancing and it is coming back
6.16.10 new_englander_at_heart, FL brought back all those memories of junior high school. I so well remeber Bob and Justine on American Bandstand, and how closely all of us followed the twists and turns of their relationship
6.10.10 dutch26, FL How well I remember
6.05.10 junelady, NY Loved it
6.05.10 SexyAngel, TX I definitely want to learn to do The Jitterbug
5.28.10 shirlsgirls27, FL, NY Fun exercise - notice SKIRTS on girls & guys dressed in SUITCOATS with TIES. The best!! Great music entertainment. Been there - did that!! It was more than wonderful!!!
5.27.10 lollyo, WI Oh, to be young again!
5.25.10 BKLYNTEK66 Oh, those memories!
5.15.10 Matt5472ny, TX Made me smile, and feel happy again
5.10.10 Rockin'Richard, CT Excellent but I don't like the term ripping off. Bill Haley did what most musicians do when they hear something they like. They do their own version which is a compliment to the orginal one. Please change it.
5.01.10 mat5472, NY Nothing like it!
