Limbo (dance)

Limbo is a novelty dance that originated on the island of Trinidad. The dancer moves to a Caribbean rhythm, then leans backward and dances under a horizontal stick without touching it. When several dancers compete, the stick is gradually lowered until only one dancer - who has not touched the stick or the floor - remains.

In recent years, limbo dancing has been conducted as a social "icebreaker" game for tourists at Caribbean and other tropical resorts. The winning dancer often receives a prize.

The name is said to be derived from the original purpose of the dance, which was to help a dead loved one's soul escape the state of Limbo. It is performed for one week after a funeral. It is also possible that the name comes directly from the English of Trinidad; Merriam-Webster lists the etymology as "English of Trinidad & Barbados; akin to Jamaican English limba to bend, from English limber" (see definition #2 at http://m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?limbo).

limbo is also a popular sport in the UK. However health warnings have suggested that it could be a major source of osteoperosis and hit squads have been phasing the game out by removing all poles, brooms and thin people from parties.