I get the Jig part but it occured to me that I really have NO idea where the Slip part comes in...

Treble Jig kinda makes sense, so does a reel and hornpipe but slip jig makes me wonder.
Does anybody know the origins of the name for this dance?

On of the older meanings of the term "slip" was to move fluidly and gracefully. You still hear an echo of that in "I slipped into the room without anyone noticing." The slip jig, which was exclusive to female dancers until the mid-1980's (and still is at the championship level) was supposed to be done in a fluid, graceful style.

If you hear the story that 100 years ago, when skirts came down to the floor, ladies would lift up their skirts so that their petticoats (slips) showed and dance that way, it's rubbish. But hey, you have to have at least two conflicting stories about the origin of anything in Irish dance.

wow thats really interesting - i never really thought about it!

We still use the term slip in our class when learning new slip jig steps. Our teacher says, "slip, slip, slip" when we're doing a "point, point, point" step (alternating toes). She also says the slip in slip jig comes from the graceful, almost sliding motion the dancers aspire too in this dance. So many dancers do their slip jig more like a reel.

interesting, very interesting! I never stopped to think about the origin of any of the dance names before. glad I stopped to read this post!

(by the way, has anyone noticed my brand new avatar?!?)

Yep, very cool avatar shamrockin89! Loved the film, loved the pussycat!

Yep, very cool avatar shamrockin89! Loved the film, loved the pussycat!

Cute avatar! And good thread pure_dance, I've never really thought about that!

Aww, the avatar looks just like Richie Hammond.

That comment will make no sense if you're not British/into cars and henceforth don't watch Top Gear.

Louise

Lol we were talking about this in class the other day and I asked my teacher the same question and she had no idea either. Anyone know the answer?

My teacher had told me that the slip jig was named because the timing was different from a jig,hornpipe and reel. When the English Monarchy prevented the Irish from practicing or playing music in a certain timing and some of the irish culture in the 19th century, musicans made up the slip jig (in an odd timing) which the English allowed and so gave the English the slip. But that is just one story!!! I like it though!!!

Dancer722 - Among other explanantions that's one my teacher always includes in her repertoire. I have to admit it's my favorite too. Makes you wonder if there's a little truth to it.

My teacher always told us that back then people in Ireland would jump over the snakes and they made up a dance while they were avoiding getting bit. So it would not be pretty if they slipped.
~Lizzie