frug
frug
Pronunciation
/frʌɡ/
frug: /frʌɡ/ - The /fr/ sound is a consonant cluster, followed by the vowel /ʌ/ (as in "cup"), and ending with the consonant /ɡ/.
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: frug
Plural: frugs
Verb:
Base form: frug
Third-person singular present: frugs
Present participle: frugging
Past tense: frugged
Past participle: frugged
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A popular, energetic dance of the 1960s, characterized by swaying hips and movements that resembled a frantic, uncoordinated shuffle. It was often performed to a fast-paced rock and roll or soul music beat.
Synonyms: twist, boogaloo, swim
Antonyms: waltz, foxtrot, tango
Verb
To perform the frug dance.
Synonyms: boogaloo, shimmy, twist
Antonyms: waltz, tango, polka
Adjective
(Often used as a slang term) Possessing an old-fashioned or retro quality, especially in relation to something stylish or fashionable from the 1960s.
Synonyms: retro, groovy, mod, vintage
Antonyms: modern, contemporary, current, up-to-date
Examples of Use
Film and Television
In the 1969 film Sweet Charity, director Bob Fosse famously choreographed an extended musical number called "The Rich Man's Frug," which showcased his distinctive and theatrical style.
The dance appeared in a 1964 episode of The Tonight Show where dancer and actress Joey Heatherton taught host Johnny Carson the moves.
In a 1967 episode of The Andy Griffith Show titled "The Senior Play," the principal is initially appalled by a demonstration of the frug but eventually understands it is a dance of a new generation.
Music
The indie rock band Rilo Kiley included a song called "Frug" on their 1999 self-titled debut, The Initial Friend EP, and it was also featured on the soundtrack to the film Desert Blue.
Literature and Publications
Norman Mailer referred to the dance in his 1964 article "In the Red Light: A History of the Republican Convention in 1964" in Esquire magazine, noting, "The American mind had gone from Hawthorne and Emerson to the Frug, the Bounce, and 'Walking the Dog'."
10 Famous Quotes Using Frug
"The American mind had gone from Hawthorne and Emerson to the Frug, the Bounce, and 'Walking the Dog'." (Norman Mailer, November 1964)
"There's something amazing about the beginning of his 'Rich Man's Frug.' Really, all they're doing is walking, but the way they're walking is telling you everything you need to know about the characters." (Amanda Plummer on Bob Fosse's choreography)
"The frug is sometimes referred to as the Surf, Big Bea, and the Thunderbird." (Fred Astaire Dance Studios)
"The frug was a dance craze from the 1960s that evolved from another dance of the era, the Chicken." (Fred Astaire Dance Studios)
"The dance appeared in a 1964 episode of The Tonight Show where dancer and actress Joey Heatherton taught host Johnny Carson the moves for the frug." (From a review of the show)
"The frug was originally a dance with lateral body movements, but as dancers grew more tired, they would do less work, moving only their hips while standing in place." (A dance history publication)
"The 'Rich Man's Frug' therefore draws its footsteps directly from the moves of the chicken, the most awkward animal that exists." (IntOndo Magazine)
“The frug was a popular dance of the 1960s which was included in the musical Sweet Charity.” (A dance history textbook)
"He can't talk about anything but the frug and the newest dance crazes." (Original quote)
"The frug was a big hit in the discos of the '60s, a dance that was just a bit more organized than a free-for-all." (Original quote)
Etymology
The word "frug" is a great example of a word that emerged from a specific cultural moment. Its etymology is not rooted in ancient languages or complex linguistic shifts, but rather in the American youth culture of the 1960s.
The word "frug" is believed to be an onomatopoeic creation—a word that imitates the sound or feeling of what it represents. The rhythmic, somewhat frantic movements of the dance were a departure from the more structured dances of previous generations, and the word "frug" seems to capture that energetic, almost jerky motion.
Its first known use, and its original meaning, is tied directly to the dance itself. The term appeared around 1964 to describe a new, fast-paced dance that was gaining popularity. It was a variation of other dances of the era, such as the "Swim," the "Twist," and the "Watusi," but the word "frug" specifically came to be associated with a more hip-swiveling, torso-focused style of dance. It was a word that was born to describe an action, and its meaning has remained closely tied to that original context ever since.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Frug
Do the frug: This is the most common phrase, referring to the act of performing the dance.
A real frug: A phrase describing someone who is a great dancer of the style, or has a lot of energy.
Frug and twist: A phrase often used to group the frug with another popular 1960s dance, the twist, to evoke the retro spirit of the era.
Don't be a frug: A playful phrase advising someone to let loose and have fun, in the spirit of the energetic dance.
All frugged out: A lesser-known phrase to describe someone who is exhausted from dancing.
Frugging the night away: An original phrase to describe a long night of dancing.
Frug it out: A modern idiom similar to "dance it out," suggesting that one should dance to release stress or emotions.
A frugged-up rhythm: A phrase to describe a song with a beat that is perfect for the frug dance.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of frug from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
