Vance's Fantastic Tap Dictionary
A - B

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Abe Kabbible Variously spelled Abe Kabibble, it's a theatrical "Scissors" step used in jazz and tap:
A. Measure Count Movement
1 1 Step L (to L side)
2 Step R (XF of L)
3 Step L (to L side)
4 Heel tap R (to R side)
B.
and Step L (to L side) [A]
1 Step R (XF of L)
and Step L (to L side)
2 Heel tap R fwd (to R side)
and Reverse A
3
and
4
C.
and Leap fwd to L ft (to L side) [B]
1 1 Step R (XF of L)
and Leap fwd to L ft (to L side)
2 Heel tap R fwd (to R side)
and Reverse B
3
and
4
   
Active Foot The free or "working foot" -- with the weight on the opposite or "supporting foot."
Back Flap Same as the more commonly used term "back brush step."
Balancé A basic ballet waltz step that came to be associated with the Soft Shoe "Essence." Balancé to the right -- on count of 1-2-3: right foot goes out to the side and the weight is transferred to it (1); immediately bring left foot behind right and transfer the weight to the ball of the left foot while rising up on it (2); put your weight back on the right foot flat on the floor (3). A balancé to one side is almost always followed by a balancé to the other and can be done to the front and back.
Back-Front Same as a ball change.
Ball Beat A dropping of the ball of the foot.
Ball Change With weight on the right foot, stepping back onto the ball of the left foot, with left leg bent, then quickly returning the weight to the right foot -- without a complete weight change from one foot to the other. This could be executed on either foot and in any direction.
Ball Tap Same as "Tap Ball."
Bandy Twist A basic movement originated by Jim Bandy, a dancer of the vaudeville days.
Barrel Roll,
Barrel Turn		 A complete turn of the body with the arms extended in a windmill fashion. With the weight on the L ft, extend the R foot back touching the floor (no wt). Lean extremely forward with the right hand practically touching the floor; the L arm is extended back overhead, both arms are in line with the shoulders. Execute a complete turn R, pivoting on the L in a backward motion. (R outside turn)
Bells A clicking of the heels together while in the air:
Raise the L leg diagonally to the L side. Flex the knee of the R foot; leap into the air while clicking the heels together and land on the R foot. Movement may be executed to either side.
Black Bottom The Dance craze of 1926, the Black Bottom was basically a solo challenge dance predominately danced on the stage. It is said to be the rhythmic prototype for modern tap dance phrasing. The dance featured "the slapping of the backside while hopping forward and backward, stamping the feet, and gyrations of the torso while making arm movements to the music with an occasional Heel-Toe scoop."
Bombershay Theatrical term of which there are numerous variations:
A. Measure Count Movement
1 1 Step R flat (XF of L) [A]
2 Step L (to L side)-AST
twist on R heel,
toe raised to R side

3 Repeat A
4
B. Measure Count Movement
1 1 Step R (flat) XF of L [B]
and 2 Flap L fwd (to L side)
AST twist on R heel, toe
raised to R side
3 Repeat B
4
C. Measure Count Movement
8 Hop L
and a Shuffle R (to R side)
1 Step R (flat) XF of L
and 2 Flap L fwd (to L side)
AST twist on R heel, toe
raised to R side
and Brush R bk (to L ft)
3 Step R flat (alongside of L)

Break A two measure movement that follows a six measure movement to complete an eight measure phrase. Breaks are commonly associated with Time Steps but may be used in any format.

Single Buck Break:
A. Measure Count Movement   
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1. 1 Hop L
2 Step R bk
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L
4 and Shuffle R fwd
2. 5 Hop L
and 6 Flap R fwd
and 7 Ball change L-R

Toe Tap Buck Break:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1 1 Hop L
and a Shuffle R (to R side)
2 Step R bk
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L
4 and Shuffle R fwd
2 5 Hop L
and 6 Flap R fwd
and 7 Ball change L-R

Single Standard Full Break:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1 1 Hop L
2 Step R  [ double: Flap R fwd ]
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L
4 and Shuffle R fwd
2. 5 Step R
and 6 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L
7 Flat tap R fwd (no wt)

Standard Break - Triple:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1. 1 Hop L
and a Shuffle R (to R side)
2 Step R (to L ft)
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L
4 and Shuffle R fwd
2. 5 Step R
and 6 Shuffle L
and Step L
7 Flat tap R fwd (no wt)

Single Half Break:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1 Hop L
2 Step R
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L

Double Half Break:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1 Hop L
and 2 Flap R fwd
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L

Triple Half Break:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1 Hop L
and a Shuffle R (to R side)
2 Step R (to L ft)
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L

Single Time Step Break:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1. 1 Hop L
2 Step R bk
and 3 Flap L fwd
and Step R
4 and Shuffle L fwd
2. 5 Hop R
and 6 Flap L fwd
and 7 Ball change R-L

Soft Shoe Break:
1 1 Step L bk
and a Flap R fwd
2 Step L bk
and a Shuffle R fwd
3 Hop L
a and Shuffle R (to R side)
a Step R (to L ft)
4 and Shuffle L fwd
a Hop R
2. 5 Step L (XB of R)
and 6 Flap R fwd
and 7 Flap L fwd
and Brush R fwd
8 Drop L heel
Break Out An old term for the finish of a Time Step.  Similar to a basic Buck Time Step:
A. Measure Count Movement
a 1 Flap R fwd
and Step L bk
2 and Shuffle R      
and 3 Hop L
Broken An old term for a Half Break.
Brush A one-sound kicking movement, in any direction. With the knee in a flexed position, strike the ball of the free foot against the floor, the leg raises in the air until the knee is straight. This applies when the brush is executed in a forward movement. A brush may be executed in any direction but basically it is forward or backward.
Brush Step A forward Brush Step is the same as a Flap. Whether it is a forward or back brush step, the movement can be executed in any desired rhythm pattern.
Brush Flat A flat brush is executed in exactly the same fashion as a basic brush - the difference is that the entire flat of the foot strikes the floor in the pendulum movement.
Buck Same as a Chug. A forward movement accenting the heel drop: With the weight on one foot, the free foot is raised; force the heel of the foot to the floor with exaggeration, thus moving the foot forward approximately 3 inches.
Buck and Wing The precise origins of Buck and Wing (Buck Dance and Pigeon Wing) or Buck Dancing, is a mystery. It is known to have been an early 19th Century dance routine -- done by both Minstrel and Vaudeville performers -- that featured a flat-footed, heavily accented syncopation. The dance employed a character and style purportedly drawn on portrayals of boisterous Black males -- called "Bucks." Pigeon Wings and Wing Dancing refers to movements involving arm flapping and wild kicks. It is said to be "the forerunner of the present style of Rhythm Tap."
Buffalo A movement normally traveling to the side but may be executed in place. Although the buffalo is executed in one fashion, the approach into the buffalo can vary.
Standard Buffalo:
A. Measure Count Movement [A]
and Brush L fwd (to L side)
8 Leap fwd to L ft (to L side)
and a Shuffle R fwd (to R side)
1 1 Leap bk to R ft - AST
Flex L knee XF of R
and Repeat A
2
and a
3
   

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