Let's Dance Trivia Quiz
Match the 10 dance s to the corresponding information about them.
A matching quiz
by Joepetz.
Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Most Recent Scores
Feb 19 2026
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Guest 50: 10/10Feb 18 2026 : Guest 186: 10/10
Jan 29 2026 : wellenbrecher: 10/10
Jan 21 2026 : RebeccaQ: 8/10
Jan 18 2026 : Guest 47: 10/10
Score Distribution
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Extremely popular in the United States in the 1920s; named after an American city; may have origins in Juba dancing
Answer:
Charleston
The Charleston is named after the city of the same name in South Carolina. Some of the steps in the Charleston come from the then-popular Juba dancing that was performed by African-American dancers. It was popularized nationwide by a number of Broadway plays including "Liza" and "Runnin' Wild".
The Broadway plays added other steps not based on Juba so the dance would appeal to white audiences.
The Charleston is named after the city of the same name in South Carolina. Some of the steps in the Charleston come from the then-popular Juba dancing that was performed by African-American dancers. It was popularized nationwide by a number of Broadway plays including "Liza" and "Runnin' Wild".
The Broadway plays added other steps not based on Juba so the dance would appeal to white audiences.
2. Named after a vaudeville actor; popularized in 1914; has its origins in ragtime
Answer:
Foxtrot
The foxtrot is named after actor Harry Fox who is believed to have popularized the dance in 1914. Howeverdance instructors Vernon and Irene Castle are credited with adding the foxtrot's signature grace. The foxtrotspecifically the accompanying musichas its origins in ragtime. In factthe foxtrot had been danced for decades in African-American clubs until it was mainstreamed by Fox. The Castles originally named the dance the bunny hug before changing it to foxtrot.
The foxtrot was so popular during the first half of the 20th centurythat rock and roll songs were originally advertised as foxtrots by Decca Records because the company was afraid no one buy music that was unsuitable to dance the foxtrot too.
The foxtrot is named after actor Harry Fox who is believed to have popularized the dance in 1914. Howeverdance instructors Vernon and Irene Castle are credited with adding the foxtrot's signature grace. The foxtrotspecifically the accompanying musichas its origins in ragtime. In factthe foxtrot had been danced for decades in African-American clubs until it was mainstreamed by Fox. The Castles originally named the dance the bunny hug before changing it to foxtrot.
The foxtrot was so popular during the first half of the 20th centurythat rock and roll songs were originally advertised as foxtrots by Decca Records because the company was afraid no one buy music that was unsuitable to dance the foxtrot too.
3. Developed from the Landler; considered the fast version and not the slow one; considered formal and elegant
Answer:
Viennese Waltz
The Viennese waltz is sometimes called the fast waltz to distinguish itself from the dance simply called waltz or slow waltz. It developed from several different dance s including the allemande and the landler. A traditional Viennese waltz (one performed in the ballrooms of Vienna) would only have turns (changing the direction of the dance) and change steps (the footwork performed to change direction) and no other moves.
The American- Viennese Waltz is considered to be significantly less strict where one would perform other moves such as the fleckerl and passing by other couples on the dance floor.
The Viennese waltz is sometimes called the fast waltz to distinguish itself from the dance simply called waltz or slow waltz. It developed from several different dance s including the allemande and the landler. A traditional Viennese waltz (one performed in the ballrooms of Vienna) would only have turns (changing the direction of the dance) and change steps (the footwork performed to change direction) and no other moves.
The American- Viennese Waltz is considered to be significantly less strict where one would perform other moves such as the fleckerl and passing by other couples on the dance floor.
4. Dance of the bullfight; man is the matador and the woman is the cape; originated from a French military march
Answer:
Paso Doble
The paso doble is danced to resemble a Spanish bull fight. The man is the matador and the woman is the cape (or sometimes said to be the matador's shadow). The matador is the obvious leader of the dance and is usually the more dominant partner and makes bigpowerful and intense moves. In the traditional paso doblethe woman would never represent the bull; howevershe might in a ballroom- paso doble.
The paso doble has its origins in a French military step that was also used by the Spanish military in the 18th century. Howeverpaso doble music has been around for at least a century longer than the dance or the military step. It is often played when a matador enters the ring and right before he kills the bull.
The paso doble is danced to resemble a Spanish bull fight. The man is the matador and the woman is the cape (or sometimes said to be the matador's shadow). The matador is the obvious leader of the dance and is usually the more dominant partner and makes bigpowerful and intense moves. In the traditional paso doblethe woman would never represent the bull; howevershe might in a ballroom- paso doble.
The paso doble has its origins in a French military step that was also used by the Spanish military in the 18th century. Howeverpaso doble music has been around for at least a century longer than the dance or the military step. It is often played when a matador enters the ring and right before he kills the bull.
5. Originated in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan; attire for this dance includes baggy pants and finger scarves; free form version originated in the 1940s
Answer:
Bhangra
The bhangra is derived from a Punjab martial arts called bagaa. The bhangra was a popular dance in India and Pakistan until the 1940s when India and Pakistan became independent. The traditional bhangra was focused in Pakistan while a new freeform version developed in India. Dancers traditionally wear longthin and baggy clothes.
The long shirt is called a kurta while the finger scarves are called rumal. Overallthe dancers' attire resembled something similar to what westerners would think of to be pajamas.
The bhangra is derived from a Punjab martial arts called bagaa. The bhangra was a popular dance in India and Pakistan until the 1940s when India and Pakistan became independent. The traditional bhangra was focused in Pakistan while a new freeform version developed in India. Dancers traditionally wear longthin and baggy clothes.
The long shirt is called a kurta while the finger scarves are called rumal. Overallthe dancers' attire resembled something similar to what westerners would think of to be pajamas.
6. Music for this dance composed originally by Enrique Jorrin; of Cuban origin; named for the sound of the dancers' shoes
Answer:
Cha-Cha-Cha
Enrique Jorrin is credited for writing the original cha-cha-cha music that accompanies the dancewhich he is also credited with inventing. He was a Cuban composer from Havanathough he later moved around the world spreading his music and dance. The name cha-cha-cha comes from the sound the dancers' shoes make while performing their routines.
It may also come from the sounds of the music's beat. The cha-cha-cha is the proper name for the dancenot the cha-cha. It is also properly spelled with the hyphensnot without.
Enrique Jorrin is credited for writing the original cha-cha-cha music that accompanies the dancewhich he is also credited with inventing. He was a Cuban composer from Havanathough he later moved around the world spreading his music and dance. The name cha-cha-cha comes from the sound the dancers' shoes make while performing their routines.
It may also come from the sounds of the music's beat. The cha-cha-cha is the proper name for the dancenot the cha-cha. It is also properly spelled with the hyphensnot without.
7. Originated in AndalusiaSpain; castanets frequently play music during this dance; named for the Spanish word for fire
Answer:
Flamenco
The Flamenco originated in AndalusiaSpain no later than 1774 and probably years before that. It later became infused with Gitano or Romani influences and culture. It may also have some Moorish influence also. Flamenco comes from the Spanish word for fire or flame. Where that came from is unknown but it could reference the sultriness of the dance or because the Gitano people had a stereotype for being hotheaded or hot tempered. Castanets are the little finger drum-like instruments that frequently accompany flamenco dancers.
It is also not unusually to see the dancers playing the castanets themselves.
The Flamenco originated in AndalusiaSpain no later than 1774 and probably years before that. It later became infused with Gitano or Romani influences and culture. It may also have some Moorish influence also. Flamenco comes from the Spanish word for fire or flame. Where that came from is unknown but it could reference the sultriness of the dance or because the Gitano people had a stereotype for being hotheaded or hot tempered. Castanets are the little finger drum-like instruments that frequently accompany flamenco dancers.
It is also not unusually to see the dancers playing the castanets themselves.
8. Popular in Brazil; may be named after a Portuguese stringed instrument or the Bantu word for dance; female dancers tend to wear elaboratecolorful costumes
Answer:
Samba
Samba is a traditional Brazilian dancepopularly seen during parades of Carnival. It has its roots in African dances from Africans who were enslaved in Brazil. The "street" or traditional samba is characterized by brightelaborate costumes and is considered more risqué or sexy than the ballroom samba. Traditional samba dancers' costumesespecially the womenusually have many feathers and are quite large in size. The men's costumes tend to be less elaborate but just as colorful. The men often wear sleeve ruffles.
The word samba may be derived from the sambucoa Portuguese harp instrument. It may also come from the Bantu word for dance "semba" which is itself another kind of dance. Samba also bares a resemblance to the Portuguese word "sambar" which roughly translates to doing carpenter's work but in modern Portuguese means to dance the samba.
Samba is a traditional Brazilian dancepopularly seen during parades of Carnival. It has its roots in African dances from Africans who were enslaved in Brazil. The "street" or traditional samba is characterized by brightelaborate costumes and is considered more risqué or sexy than the ballroom samba. Traditional samba dancers' costumesespecially the womenusually have many feathers and are quite large in size. The men's costumes tend to be less elaborate but just as colorful. The men often wear sleeve ruffles.
The word samba may be derived from the sambucoa Portuguese harp instrument. It may also come from the Bantu word for dance "semba" which is itself another kind of dance. Samba also bares a resemblance to the Portuguese word "sambar" which roughly translates to doing carpenter's work but in modern Portuguese means to dance the samba.
9. Is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage; influenced by a mix of African and European dances; male-male partners not uncommon
Answer:
Tango
The tango was made a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage item in 2009 for being a recognizable symbol of Argentina's cultural. The tango is derived from the candombe dance performed by African slaves who were brought to Uruguay and Argentina and various ballroom s of European dances. The tango was invented by lower-class Argentines in Buenos Aires or possible in Uruguay. It is commonly said to have been invented by prostitutes in bordellos but there is no evidence to support thisthough the dance was extremely popular with brothel workers and patrons.
In the early to mid 20th centurytango was banned despite its popularity. A series of dictators sought to ban large public gatherings and tango performances often drew the largest crowds. The tango was systematically banned and then unbanned depending on who the leader was at the time. Also in those daysit was a tradition that the tango would be danced by either a male-female pairing or a male-male pairing. Many tango practices and routines were male-only events. That was particularly troublesome to the various dictators because they believed men would be more likely to rebel than womenespecially in large groups.
The tango was made a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage item in 2009 for being a recognizable symbol of Argentina's cultural. The tango is derived from the candombe dance performed by African slaves who were brought to Uruguay and Argentina and various ballroom s of European dances. The tango was invented by lower-class Argentines in Buenos Aires or possible in Uruguay. It is commonly said to have been invented by prostitutes in bordellos but there is no evidence to support thisthough the dance was extremely popular with brothel workers and patrons.
In the early to mid 20th centurytango was banned despite its popularity. A series of dictators sought to ban large public gatherings and tango performances often drew the largest crowds. The tango was systematically banned and then unbanned depending on who the leader was at the time. Also in those daysit was a tradition that the tango would be danced by either a male-female pairing or a male-male pairing. Many tango practices and routines were male-only events. That was particularly troublesome to the various dictators because they believed men would be more likely to rebel than womenespecially in large groups.
10. Popularized by a dictator; probably origin stems from slaves in the Dominican Republic; lots of hip action
Source: Author Joepetz
Answer:
Merengue
Rafael Trujillothe famous Dominican dictatormade merengue music the official music of the Dominican Republic. As a resultthe dance became popular as well. Merengue stems from traditional African slave dances mixed with local Indian dances and Spanish dances.
The signature hip action of the merengue is causednot by moving the hipsbut by bending the knees a certain way and then swaying the kneeswhich causes the hips to move.
Rafael Trujillothe famous Dominican dictatormade merengue music the official music of the Dominican Republic. As a resultthe dance became popular as well. Merengue stems from traditional African slave dances mixed with local Indian dances and Spanish dances.
The signature hip action of the merengue is causednot by moving the hipsbut by bending the knees a certain way and then swaying the kneeswhich causes the hips to move.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ponycargirl before going online.
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