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The French ballet term "pirouette" comes from what children's toy?

Question #151020. Asked by psnz.
Last updated Apr 30 2024.
Originally posted Apr 30 2024 8:01 PM.

BigTriviaDawg

Answer has 1 vote

BigTriviaDawg

6 year member
776 replies avatar

Answer has 1 vote.

The word originates from the French word for a spinning top! It makes sense as a pirouette in ballet is a complete rotation on one foot...like a top.

in dancing, "a rapid whirling on one leg or on the points of the toes," 1706, from French pirouette "pirouette in dancing," originally "spinning top" (15c.), from Gallo-Roman root *pir- "peg, plug" (source of Italian piruolo "peg top") + diminutive suffix -ette. Hence, probably, U.S. Civil War slang piroot "to move or travel listlessly or aimlessly" (1863).

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pirouette

https://www.etymonline.com/word/pirouette

Response last updated by BigTriviaDawg on Apr 30 2024.
Apr 30 2024, 8:04 PM

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The French ballet term "pirouette" comes from what children's toy?

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