apache dance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowSpecialist/Historical
Quick answer
What does “apache dance” mean?
A violent and acrobatic stage dance, originating from French cabaret, depicting a brutal fight between a Parisian gangster (Apache) and a woman.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A violent and acrobatic stage dance, originating from French cabaret, depicting a brutal fight between a Parisian gangster (Apache) and a woman.
Any highly theatrical, aggressive dance or interaction between partners that mimics a stylized physical struggle, often with lifts, throws, and mock slaps. Used metaphorically to describe any turbulent, adversarial relationship or partnership.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more likely to be recognized in UK contexts due to historical variety theatre connections.
Connotations
Connotes old-fashioned entertainment, melodrama, and stylized violence.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects, primarily found in historical or performing arts texts.
Grammar
How to Use “apache dance” in a Sentence
The couple performed an ~.Their relationship was a continual ~.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical studies of performance, dance history, or early 20th-century popular culture.
Everyday
Virtually never used. If used, it's metaphorical.
Technical
Used in dance and theatre terminology to describe a specific genre.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “apache dance”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “apache dance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apache dance”
- Referring to a Native American ceremonial dance.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They apache danced'). It is almost exclusively a noun phrase.
- Capitalizing 'apache' when used in this phrase (it is typically lowercase).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is named after the 'Apaches', a term for Parisian underworld gangsters in the early 1900s, not the Native American tribe.
No, it is not standard usage. It is a compound noun (e.g., 'perform an apache dance').
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialist term. You will almost only encounter it in historical or performance arts contexts.
Its main feature is the theatrical simulation of a violent, abusive struggle between a male and female partner, incorporating throws, lifts, and mock attacks.
A violent and acrobatic stage dance, originating from French cabaret, depicting a brutal fight between a Parisian gangster (Apache) and a woman.
Apache dance is usually specialist/historical in register.
Apache dance: in British English it is pronounced /əˌpæʃ ˈdɑːns/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˌpæʃ ˈdæns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Their marriage is a real apache dance.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a Parisian APACHE (gangster) in a violent DANCE with his partner. A-PACHE (A PATCHY, turbulent) relationship.
Conceptual Metaphor
A RELATIONSHIP IS A VIOLENT DANCE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary origin of the term 'apache dance'?