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Crabbit Shona

Grumpy Cat

Grouch Day

Oct 15

Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day

Today's Musings, History & Folklore

"The beginner's unsure, yet eager to grow,
The more practiced move boldly, with much left to know.
The expert is wise, with a kind, open hand,
Welcoming all to the joy of the dance of the land

With patience we step, some falter, some glide,
But mistakes are just moments where lessons abide.
So don't fear a stumble, or stepping too wrong,
For the dance lifts us up, where all feet belong!

~ The Three Stages of Dancing

Feeling annoyed or irritated by everything and everyone today? Gotten your dancing feet a bit stomped or been body-checked by someone in the next set over? Oh well, we're all entitled to a bad day. But a bit of dancing will help to develop good habits and awareness, especially this teaching dance devised especially for beginners. In my personal experience, seasoned and advanced dancers in the Scottish Country Dance community tend to be gracious and encouraging to new dancers while sometimes ... just sometimes ... certain dancers might forget their own early days and not be as tolerant as they could be. Good teachers have always fostered forbearance. We were all beginners at one time! Still, best to be wary of your dancing feet and non-standard footwear, just in case! 😜 🕺 💃 🩰

Crabbit Shona

The word "grouch" traces its origins to the late 19th century in the United States, with its roots possibly in the Old French word "groucier," meaning "to grumble or complain." Some linguists believe it may be related to the Middle English "grucchen," which had a similar meaning. Over time, "grouch" evolved into the familiar term for a person who is habitually irritable or complains frequently.


In Scotland, there are some colorful and distinctive synonyms for a grouch:

"Crabbit": A Scots term meaning bad-tempered or grumpy. It’s often used in a lighthearted or affectionate way, as in “Aye, he’s a bit crabbit the morn.”

"Grumphie": Though more commonly used to refer to a pig, in some Scottish dialects, it’s playfully used for a person who’s particularly sulky or cantankerous, much like a grouch.

"Dour": While "dour" can refer to someone who is stern or unyielding, in Scotland, it’s often used to describe a person who is sour, sullen, or joyless.


For more etymological theories about the word "grouch", click the most famous Grouch after Groucho Marx!

Crabbit Shona

Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!

Crabbit Shona

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