Meaning
A bold dance performed in groups of eight where women lift their skirts to display their ankles.
Etymology
Origin: French
First use appears c. 1750, in the sense of the dance, from French cotillon (“petticoat”), extended to the dance because of the distinctive lift of dress revealing the petticoat, from cotte (“dress”) + -illon (diminutive). Said to derive from the then-popular song Ma commère, quand je danse, mon cotillion va-t-il bien.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles: