A dance card or ''programme du bal'' (also known by its German-language name, ''Tanzkarte'') is used by a woman to record the names of the men with whom she intends to dance each successive dance at a formal

ball A ball is a round object (usually spherical, but can sometimes be ovoid) with several uses. It is used in ball games, where the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown by players. Balls can also be used f ...

History

Dance cards appear to have originated in the 18th century, but their use first became widespread in 19th-century Vienna, especially at the large balls during Fasching before

Lent Lent ( la, Quadragesima, 'Fortieth') is a solemn religious observance in the liturgical calendar commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke ...

A dance card is typically a booklet with a decorative cover, listing dance titles, composers, and the person with whom the woman intended to dance. Typically, it would have a cover indicating the sponsoring organization of the ball and a decorative cord by which it could be attached to a lady's wrist or ball gown. From the 19th century until World War I, dance cards for the elite of Austria-Hungary were often very elaborate, with some even incorporating

precious metal Precious metals are rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical elements of high economic value. Chemically, the precious metals tend to be less reactive than most elements (see noble metal). They are usually ductile and have a high lustre. ...

s and jewels.

Modern times

In modern times the expression "dance card" is often used metaphorically, as when someone says "pencil me into your dance card," meaning "find some time to spend with me". Conversely, claiming one's "dance card is full" implies that even though they may be interested, they have no time for another person.

Air crews

U.S. Air Force

aircrew Aircrew, also called flight crew, are personnel who operate an aircraft while in flight. The composition of a flight's crew depends on the type of aircraft, plus the flight's duration and purpose. Commercial aviation Flight deck positions ...

s in general, and those involved in flight tests in particular, use the term to describe the first card in a "deck" of flight or test maneuver cards. The "dance card" contains administrative data about the mission, aircraft, and aircrew as well as a list of the maneuvers to be flown. The card serves as a table of contents for the mission and a quick reference for the aircrew's use during the flight.

Pictures

File:DanceCardCoverUSPresidentialCandidatesGroverClevelandEtc1884.jpg, Dance card cover depicting 1884 U.S. presidential tickets File:DanceCardInsideView1884.jpg, Inside of 1884 dance card File:Dance card.jpg , 1912 Dance card of Gladys Ewing. File:St. John's Wood Dance Card 1886.jpg, St John's Wood, Queensland (Australia) Dance Card 1886

References

External links

*Examples of dance cards from the 19th century a
The Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dance Card Balls (dance party) Dance culture Ephemera