What was a "toss of the coin" dance?

[mijath]

I found a newspaper report of a village dance in 1936 and it mentions a "toss of the coin" dance being won by a couple.

This is perhaps a silly question - but what exactly does that mean?

[Top-of-the-hill]

  I can't help with that, as I have been similarly baffled by some of the games played at 1930s socials and dances!

[mckha489]

I think it was an elimination dance/game

Sort of musical chairs really.

And I imagine if you were not an exhibitionist you didn’t want to end up being the last couple on the floor!!

[mazi]

Sort of musical chairs really.

And I imagine if you were not an exhibitionist you didn’t want to end up being the last couple on the floor!!

It’s still popular today in one form or another,  that’s why there is a sudden rush to use the facilities as soon as it’s announced.

What is worse is if you win,  the “prize” is usually something hideous left over from last months raffle.

Been there done that

Mike

[MollyC]

I remember hearing an account of an elimination dance about 1954, when dancers were told the last couple standing would be given a parcel containing a pair of bloomers, which would have to be worn for the remainder of the evening.  The "pair of bloomers" turned out to be two carnations.

[Top-of-the-hill]

  How were dancers eliminated? I can't see where the toss of a coin would come in?

[gaffy]

There are various old newspaper references to the 'coin dance', could that be the same thing? Usually mentioned in the context of a list of other winners during a dance, for example, winners of the spot dance, the card dance, the balloon dance and the coin dance.

[mckha489]

  How were dancers eliminated? I can't see where the toss of a coin would come in?

I THINK each couple was somehow assigned heads or tails.   Then at intervals the coin was tossed.  Obviously the assigning would have to be repeated after each toss.
(I am basing this off a memory from school ‘social’ in 1967 when I was 10, so I could be completely wrong!)