jitterbug

[jit-er-buhg]

noun

1. a strenuously acrobatic dance consisting of a few standardized steps augmented by twirls, splits, somersaults, etc., popular especially in the early 1940s and performed chiefly to boogie-woogie and swing.

2. a person who dances the jitterbug.

verb (used without object)

jitterbugged, jitterbugging 

1. to dance the jitterbug.

jitterbug

/ ˈdʒɪtəˌbʌɡ /

noun

1. a fast jerky American dance, usually to a jazz accompaniment, that was popular in the 1940s

2. a person who dances the jitterbug

3. a highly nervous or excitable person

verb

1. (intr) to perform such a dance

Other Word Forms

• jitterbugger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of jitterbug¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35; jitter + bug ¹

Related Words

• disco 
• samba 
• tango 
• waltz