21. THE TODDLE

The Toddle, so popular, is gradually toddling away, but as its figures are used with the Fox Trot today a detailed explanation is given. Its popularity arose because it is so much easier to be springy than to dance smoothly and while still much in vogue outside of New York it has become part of the variation dances in the smart set.

The Toddle is the Fox Trot with a rise on each foot on each count of every step — except in the figure of the "Old Corte" and "the doubles"—the 1, 2, 3 at each side. Fig. 1. Take one walking step with the right foot, draw up the left one to the right, rise gently on the toes, and come down on heels. Take the next walking step with the right foot, draw up left foot, rise on toes, down on heels. Take third walking step with right foot, draw up left, rise on toes and down on heels. All walking steps in the same direction.

Fig. 2. Take one walking step with the left foot, draw up right, rise on toes, down on heels. Second walking step with left foot, draw up right foot, rise on toes and down on heels. Third walking step with left foot, draw up right, rise on toes, down on heels.
Figs. 3-4. Reverse walk. Figs. 4-5. Man leading to left and danc- ing Fox Trot step 1, 2, 3, to the side. Repeating the same to the right. Figs. 5-6. Repeat the Toddle walking steps as given above, counting two for each step.

In Toddling any step of the Fox Trot may be toddled if the time of two counts to each step is allowed, altho' the "Old Corte" and doubles are rarely toddled.

The Toddle steps may also be used in turning and pivoting. For a brief moment the Chicago appeared, which was somewhat similar to the Toddle in its counting, but it was danced with the motion of the hips instead of the feet, so it was quickly relegated to the limbo of forgotten things and is only mentioned here as its initial appearance was heralded by the press as something new.

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