Last part of Tango Dictionary

R – tango, dictionary of terms

Rabona play hookey 

A series of steps in which the free foot is crossed across the supporting leg in a cruzada, repeated on each beat.

Resolución resolution 

The finale (steps 6, 7 and 8) to the eight basic pattern.

Ritmo rhythm 

The rhythmic structure of the music.

Ronda round 

This is the outer-most lane where dancers move counter-clockwise around the perimeter of the floor - in most milongas this is right up against the tables, and dancers in the ronda have the right-of-way.

Rulo circle 

An embellishment executed by drawing one or more circles on the floor with the free leg, either as part of a movement or during a pause in dancing.

S – tango, dictionary of terms

Sacada take out 

A displacement of the woman’s free leg - when the leader places their foot or leg against the leg of their partner, transfers the weight to their own leg, and moves into the space of their partner’s leg.

Salida beginning 

The first steps of the dance or step.

Saltito small hop 

A tango step in which either the lead or follower (rarely both) execute a small hop on the floor.

Sándwiche sandwich 

To sandwich a partner's foot between your own.

Sánduche / Sánguchito sandwich

Same as Sándwiche 

Seguidilla merry dance 

Tiny quick steps.

Seguir to follow 

Following the lead: this is considered an exquisite art-form in tango.

Sentada sit 

An embellishment executed by the follower mounting, or appearing to mount, the lead's supporting leg. It is sometimes used as a dramatic embellishment at the end of the dance.

Show Tango

The term used for exhibition and competitive tango dancing characterized by a choreographed performance.

Suave smooth 

Smooth, steady and a very chic style. Considered a critical goal to attain in tango, particularly for the lead.

Sube y Baja raise and lower

A milonga sequence in which lead and follower dance first forwards with chest turned in towards each other, then backwards with chest turned out towards each other.

Syncopation

A subdivision of a beat caused typically by stressing the weak beat rather than the accent. In Spanish: sincopado.

T – tango, dictionary of terms

Tanda group 

A set of dance music which can be either three, four or five songs, separated by a cortina.

Tango de Salon

An inclusive term for the tango style danced at 'salons' (ballrooms) - in other words, milonga halls. It is characterized more by a wide variation than by a specific position; it is the style owned, practiced and shaped by the collective masses on the floor.

Tanguero 

Someone who is passionate about tango.

Tijera scissors

A step in which the free leg is crossed in front of the supporting leg, and left there, so that it may be used for the next step.

Titubeo hesitation 

Same as pausa 

Trabada connected 

Same as cruzada 

Traspié trip, stumble 

A sequence of steps which are syncopated. For example milonga traspie indicates a form of milonga in which the dancers step between the beats.

Truco trick 

Tricks or stunts, particularly in Show Tango.

V – tango, dictionary of terms

Vals waltz 

Argentine tango form of waltz in 3/4 beat.

Vareador one who beats with a pole 

A lead who flirts with all the followers but does not get seriously involved with any of them.

Víbora viper 

The man places his right leg between the woman's legs, and takes a sacada to her left and her right in succession using a back and forth action.

Volcada capsize 

The leader causes the follower to lean forward and drop from her axis before he catches her. Generally this also involves sweeping the follower's leg as a result of the off-axis motion.

Voleo 

Same as boleo 

Z – tango, dictionary of terms

Zapatazo stamp of the foot

An embellishment in which the shoes are tapped together.

Zarandeo shaking 

Swinging back-and-forth or pivoting one the same place.