Advanced Level:
The next level of square dancing above Plus which consists of a total of 81 calls. This is in addition to the Mainstream and Plus level calls.

Angel:
An experienced dancer who attends classes to fill out squares and help the caller demonstrate the proper way to perform various movements.

APD:
All Position Dancing. Dancing either the belle's or beau's position from standard formations of square dancing calls.

Banner Stealing:
The practice of a square or more of dancers (8+ dancers) from one club attending another club's dance and receiving the other club's banner until the visit (or raid) is reciprocated.

Beau:
The dancer in the left-hand position, relative to his (or her) partner.

Belle:
The dancer in the right-hand position, relative to his (or her) partner.

Caller:
The person who directs dancers through a square dance.

CallerLab:
The International Association of Square Dance Callers. Click here to visit their Web site.

Crash and Burn:
A term used when your square need to return to your home positions.

Cuer:
The person directing round dancers during a round dance.

Dancing Calls:
The following are the levels of square dancing calls and the order that they are taught:

1. Mainstream
2. Plus
3. A-1 (Advanced)
4. A-2 (Advanced)
5. C-1 (Challenge)
6. C-2 (Challenge)
7. C-3A (Challenge)

Dangle:
A small plastic or metal object which attaches to a badge, using only a single metal ring. This object can symbolize a variety of things, including such items as visitations, callers, special events, etc.

DBD:
Dancing By Definition. Where individual calls can be broken into their component parts, so that a call can be danced from any position on the floor, including dancing a call from a different starting position.

Home Position:
Your position within the square at the beginning of the tip.

Hot Hash:
A special tip with no pauses between each of the formations, and is generally considered a challenge. The tempo of the music is also increased, adding to the difficulty. This is usually done to basic/mainstream calls (i.e. no Plus).

Mainstream Level:
The beginning level of square dancing which consists of 68 calls.

Patter Call:
A single tune, used by a caller as background for a series of calls, with no lyrics accompanying the music. Couples will be moved in a variety of formations, but brought back to their home position before the next set of calls. This may occur several times during the patter call.

Plus Level:
The next level of square dancing from Mainstream which consists of 32 additional calls in addition to mainstream calls.

Singing Call:
A single call where the caller will mix square dance directions with singing. Ladies will rotate between each man in the square during the song, usually in a counter-clockwise direction.

Square:
A square consists of four couples. The couple who's back is to the caller is referred to as the couple #1. The couple directly in front of them is couple #3. Both couple #1 and #3 are called Head Couples. The couple to the right of Couple #1 is called Couple #2. The couple to the left of Couple #1 is called Couple #4. Both Couple #2 and #4 are called Side Couples. The person to your left is called your Corner.

Square Ware
Preferred square dancing attire.

Square Your Sets
The caller is requesting you return to your home positions.

Stir the Bucket:
Where each couple in a square moves to the next counter-clockwise position.

Tip:
A square dance session consisting of two parts, a patter call and a singing call. The patter call consists of a rapid-fire sequence of spoken calls which lead the dancers through intricate and unpredictable patterns. There is usually background music to provide a basic beat, but the emphasis is on dance as an intellectual exercise. In the singing call, the moves are much more predictable and usually consist of sequences practiced during the patter call. The caller usually sings a popular song with the calls interspersed between the phrases and the emphasis is on dancing to the music.

Yellow Rock:
A friendly Hug.