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Where does the word "tarantella" come from? It comes from Italian Taranto, passing through Italian before entering English (1780s).
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Where does the word "tarantella" come from? It comes from Italian Taranto, passing through Italian before entering English (1780s).
Tarantella’s story begins in Italian: Taranto meant “Taranto.” A port city in Apulia. Within Italian, it grew into tarantella by 1600s. The frantic dance believed to cure the bite of the tarantula. It reached English by 1780s as tarantella. Borrowed with Italian music and dance. Today, tarantella means a rapid whirling dance of southern Italy.
- Stage 1 · Italian · medieval Taranto "Taranto", a port city in Apulia.
- Stage 2 · Italian · 1600s tarantella "Taranto dance", the frantic dance believed to cure the bite of the tarantula.
- Stage 3 · English · 1780s tarantella "whirling dance", borrowed with Italian music and dance.