bolero

Where does the word "bolero" come from? It comes from Spanish bolero, and was adopted directly into English (1780s).

Bolero’s story begins in Spanish: bolero meant “dance.” A dance said to have been created around 1780 by the dancer Sebastián Cerezo. It reached English by 1780s as bolero. Ravel's 'Boléro' of 1928 made the rhythm world-famous; the short jacket is named after dancers' costumes. Today, bolero means a Spanish dance in triple time; a short open jacket.

1. Stage 1 · Spanish · 1780s bolero "dance", a dance said to have been created around 1780 by the dancer Sebastián Cerezo.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1780s bolero "dance; short jacket", Ravel's 'Boléro' of 1928 made the rhythm world-famous; the short jacket is named after dancers' costumes.