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