Phrase Finder

Cut a rug

Posted by ESC June 02, 2011 at 00:42In reply to Cut a rug posted by John Smith on May 23, 2011 at 21:29:

I was wondering if anyone knew the origin of the phrase "cut a rug" meaning to dance or to dance well. For example, "John can really cut a rug."

All I could find was that the phrase dates back to the 1920s. In old movies, the "kids" would roll up the rug or carpet before dancing at someone's house. Maybe vigorous dancing would tear or cut a rug.

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