cancan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Artistic/Humorous
Quick answer
What does “cancan” mean?
A high-energy French stage dance performed by a female chorus line, characterized by rapid, vigorous kicking, high leg lifts, and revealing costumes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A high-energy French stage dance performed by a female chorus line, characterized by rapid, vigorous kicking, high leg lifts, and revealing costumes.
May refer to any lively, boisterous dance or display reminiscent of the original cancan; used metaphorically to describe energetic, chaotic, or scandalous behaviour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Recognised equally as a French cultural import.
Connotations
Similar in both: evokes French culture, historical entertainment, and energetic spectacle.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing primarily in cultural, historical, or humorous contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cancan” in a Sentence
dance + the + cancanperform + the + cancando + the + cancanVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cancan” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The troupe cancaned across the stage with incredible energy.
American English
- She cancaned her way through the finale, amazing the crowd.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in tourism or entertainment marketing.
Academic
Used in historical, cultural, or dance studies.
Everyday
Used humorously to describe chaotic or energetic situations ('The kids were doing a cancan in the kitchen').
Technical
Specific term in dance history and choreography.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cancan”
- Misspelling as 'cancann' or 'can-can' (hyphen is sometimes used but less common).
- Using it as a verb for general cancellation ('I will cancan the meeting' - incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are false friends. 'Cancan' is a dance name, while 'cancel' means to call off.
It became an iconic symbol of Parisian nightlife in the 1800s, famous for its energy, high leg lifts, and somewhat risqué reputation.
Traditionally it was performed by women, but modern performances sometimes include men, especially in comedic or contemporary adaptations.
It is most famously associated with the galop from Jacques Offenbach's 'Orpheus in the Underworld'.
A high-energy French stage dance performed by a female chorus line, characterized by rapid, vigorous kicking, high leg lifts, and revealing costumes.
Cancan is usually informal, artistic/humorous in register.
Cancan: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæn.kæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæn.kæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not to put on a cancan (rare, meaning: not to make a big fuss or spectacle)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A CAN CAN kick high - imagine two tin cans dancing and kicking.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENERGETIC DISORDER IS A DANCE; SCANDALOUS DISPLAY IS A PERFORMANCE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of a cancan?