turkey trot

¹

noun

1. a round dance, danced by couples, properly to ragtime, the step being a springy walk with little or no bending of the knees, and accompanied by a swinging motion of the body with shoulder movements up and down.

turkey-trot

²

[ tur-kee-trot ]

verb (used without object)

, tur·key-trot·ted, tur·key-trot·ting.

1. to dance the turkey trot.

turkey trot

noun

1. an early ragtime one-step, popular in the period of World War I

Word History and Origins

Origin of turkey trot¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

The very names of the dances were atrocious—bunny-hug, Texas Tommy, grizzly bear, turkey-trot.

From Project Gutenberg

It was finally agreed that they were to lunch late, take a little spin round town, and then turkey-trot again in the afternoon.

From Project Gutenberg

The tango and the turkey-trot had spread overseas, and royalties trod on Persis' toes as they bungled the steps like yokels.

From Project Gutenberg

That, I believe, is a highly fashionable performance called the Turkey Trot.

From Project Gutenberg

Old Ben, who was lame in his left hind foot, had a curious gait, like a sort of grotesque turkey trot.

From Project Gutenberg