Glossary of Irish Dance Terms

You’ve been taking your child to Irish dance classes and have heard the chattering of other “Feis Moms” (as they are called) and now want to join the club.

This is a basic primer of unique words and terms related to the art and science of “Feising”.

Duct Tape: The very essence of Irish Dance. Typically used to improve adhesion of dancer’s footgear on slippery stages. Also effective in quieting recalcitrant siblings at a Feis.

Fesh: An Irish Dance Competition. (Note: “Feis” is an acceptable alternative spelling in less refined regions)

Four Inches: A unit of measurement used by dressmakers to conform to skirt length requirements of dance dresses. Typically varies between four to twelve inches.

Growth Spurt: A rapid increase in the rate of growth during adolescence that occurs immediately after mailing out final payment for a new solo dress.

Irish Points: Scoring system used in championship competitions. Nobody knows exactly how it works and dancers generally accept the results without “quibbling” (the ultimate act of faith for Irish Dancers).

MAID: Mother Addicted to Irish Dance – A woman who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society renouncing all worldly pursuits in order to devote her life to contemplation of her daughter’s next solo dress.

Oireachtas: A large regional Irish Dance Competition which occurs the weekend before the arrival of your daughter’s new solo dress.

Podium: (< Latin: elevated place, balcony < Greek “pódion”: little foot) One small step for a man, one giant shrieking, sobbing, grinning, crying, happy leap for an Irish Dancer.

Sock Glue: Definitive proof of the absurdity of Irish Dance. A type of roll-on glue used to affix garments on a dancer. The use of sock glue became very popular in the late 1990’s following the ban on surgical fasteners and staple guns.

Solo Dress: A particularly ornate dance outfit worn by girls competing in upper competition levels. Purchasing a solo dress should not be attempted until you are at least a 3rd degree Feis Mom as the process requires advanced knowledge of financing, fabric care, international monetary rates, dressmaker negotiating skills, international customs law, airline carry-on baggage limitations, and odor removal techniques.

Spike Curls: “Wig in a bag” kit for do-it-yourselfers typically applied in a ratio of 25 spike curls per glass of wine.

Whilst In Motion: A designated competition period created by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha during which parents may take illegal photographs of their children.

(Note: This glossary is a “work in progress” and terms will be continually added)