Tango
/ˈtæŋ.ɡoʊ/noun
A Latin American partner dance marked by dramatic, syncopated steps and close embrace.
Did you know?The exact origin of tango is debated, but many scholars connect it to Afro-Iberian or African-derived words for a drum, dance, or place of gathering, showing how the dance’s name may preserve older ritual and communal sound-worlds.
Etymological Timeline
Late 18th–Early 19th Century
Spanish
tango
“A term used in Afro-Hispanic and Iberian contexts for gatherings, dance, or music, especially in urban and port settings.”
19th Century
Rioplatense Spanish
tango
“A style of music and dance that developed in the Río de la Plata region, especially among working-class and immigrant communities.”
19th Century
Spanish
tango
“The established name for the music and dance as it spread beyond the region.”
20th Century
English
tango
“The international name for the dance and its music.”
Explore more surprising origins