Until recently, most people didn't give much thought to ballroom dancing. It has become a popular pastime around the world, thanks to the media bringing it back into the spotlight with shows like “Dancing with the Stars.” It wasn't long after the first season that the dance craze soon spread across America, with more and more people choosing to learn to dance. However, ballroom dancing is certainly nothing new and has a rather broad background. Let's start by discussing the meaning of the word “ballroom”. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayIn simple theory, it means a place where dances can be held. The English language adopted this term from the Latin word “ballare,” which means “to dance.” Ironically, this also serves as the basis for words like “dancer” and “ballad.” Dance halls were a very popular source of entertainment before the advent of cable television, the Internet, or satellite radio. Couples often gathered here to socialize and dance with other couples, and it wasn't long before dancing competitions gained popularity. There are many different dances and versions of ballroom dancing. Each of these unique dances has specific steps and characteristics that make it different from other dances, but there is one aspect that remains constant in each dance style. No matter what style of dance is performed, you can bet that it will be performed by a couple. Each ballroom dance involves a man and a woman, who usually remain in contact throughout the routine (although there are some ballroom dances where contact is broken, but the couple reunites at the end of the dance). As common as it may seem, this style of dancing was developed in Western Europe in the early 1600s. Dances were often held the evening before men went into battle, as a way for men to go to war in good spirits. Men often wore their swords while dancing with a woman and it is believed that this led to a woman placing her left hand on her partner's right shoulder, while grasping his left hand for additional balance. This is also where the concept of men leading the dance floor was developed. As time passed over the centuries, many styles of ballroom dancing arose. Each particular dance has its own history, but the waltz and foxtrot were the first to gain popularity in the realm of ballroom dancing. The dance soon became a growing trend in several countries, and other ballroom dancing styles were formed based on various cultures. For example, the paso doble was developed in Spain in the 1700s to demonstrate the agility and strength of the bullfighter. In Italy, the mambo became a popular dance at weddings and special events, while the fast step became the trend in America after World War I. By the 1970s, all these different dances had made their way into American ballrooms, and dance competitions soon became popular. .Remember: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Today, ballroom dancing is the number one dance form among adults and is widely covered in the media. It is now also being offered as an alternative to physical education to high school and college students – a good indicator that ballroom dancing will remain a favorite activity for years to come..