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Melodeon
This is a mystical musical instrument. Melodeon players sometimes congregate with others of their kind that have different instruments but exhibit the same manic behaviour. A collection of melodeon players is known as a ‘session’.
North West
North West Morris is danced by CM ladies. Little is known of the dances because they originated from a part of the country that is yet to fully emerge from the Dark Ages. All North West dances involve stripy socks in fairly close formation.
Outside Foot
The outside foot is the foot that is not on the inside (except at certain points when the outside temporarily transits through the inside). Interestingly, this does not involve a feint step (see Feint Step) except when the dancer accidentally steps off on the inside foot (which would be on the outside at that point).
Practice
Practice is essential to become proficient as a Morris dancer. CM has practiced regularly since 1972 and it is confidently expected that this will achieve the desired effect in due course.
Queen’s Head, Boreham
This fine establishment contributes to the continuation of traditional English village life by sponsoring CM and thus drawing vast crowds to its grounds, where fine beer and delicious food are dispensed liberally. (See also Hall).
RTB
This movement is shorthand for ‘right toe back’, which is a misleading name because the whole right leg moves back rather than just the toe. There is also a LTB step but this has been omitted because the description is too complex.
Stick
The stick is an indispensible accessory for Morris dancing. Sticks come in three forms: long, short, or broken. Broken sticks are those that have been through a process known as ‘dancing with Jason’. Sometimes broken long sticks can be converted into short sticks; sometimes they can be converted into matchsticks.
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Top
The end of a set of dancers where the musician(s) stand during the dance, which is why dancers often speak of ‘facing up’. The cry of ‘which way is up?’ can be construed as a check of where the musicians will stand or it can be a simple expression of mental and physical disorientation sometimes experienced by dancers towards the end of an evening of dancing out at a pub.
Up
(See Top and All Up and Show)
Variety
Variety is the essence of entertaining Morris dancing. Sides that perform dances from multiple traditions are always sought after. CM has its own unique style which incorporates variety into every single dance.
Waistcoat
The uniform of CM men’s side incorporates a brown corduroy waistcoat as well as a brown bowler covered in flowers, a coloured neckerchief, bell pads with coloured braid, arm rosettes with coloured braid and white shirt and trousers. This simple kit ensures that Morris dancers can be easily distinguished from other stalwarts of village life, such as the village idiot.
X-Ray
(See also Knee). A visit to the X-Ray department at a local hospital is a popular finale for a particularly energetic jig.
Young Collins
This dance from the Bledington tradition has been included, partly as an example of an actual Cotswold Morris dance, and partly to enable ‘young’ to be incorporated into a piece about CM.
Zimmer Frame
Occasionally used by CM dancers to ensure that they reach the starting position for a dance at the peak of their physical condition. (See also X-Ray and Knee).
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