Spirited Spanish flamenco dance; also a South American ballroom dance.
It evolved into a ballroom dance in Buenos Aires, Arg., possibly influenced by the Cuban habanera. It was made popular in the U.S. by Vernon and Irene Castle , and by 1915 it was being danced throughout Europe. Early versions were fast and exuberant; these were later modified to the smoother ballroom step, characterized by long pauses and stylized body positions and danced to music in 44 time.
Tango danced by Rudolph Valentino and partner from the motion picture Four Horsemen of the ...
By courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., s 1921; photograph, from the Museum of Modern Art Film Stills Archive