Throwback Thursday and Leotards
Dancers wear them throughout their dancing life and
beyond. Yet most people know little
about how this essential piece of apparel came into existence.
It was all because of a French acrobat and trapeze performer
named Jules Léotard (1838-1870). That’s
right; the word “leotard” comes from his name, although he never used the term
to mean the tight-fitting item of clothing.
He called it “maillot”, a French word that refers to many different
types of snugly-fitted garments.
The word” leotard” as we know it didn’t come into use until
about 1886, several years after Jules Léotard’s death, and the garment was worn
mainly by circus performers and acrobats.
It wasn’t until the 1920s that the leotard began being used by Broadway
dancers.
One other factoid:
The 1868 song “The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze” was written
for Jules Léotard by George Leybourne, Gaston Lyle and Alfred Lee.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Dance History Factoid #8:
“The word “leotard” comes from a person: French acrobat and trapeze performer, Jules
Léotard.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge.”
-Thomas Carlyle
Help expand the knowledge base!
Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas,
or images that worked best for you!
No comments:
Post a Comment