A native Spanish-speaking friend of mine asked me the other day how to say "cotillón" in English. The way I understood his meaning (the Argentine meaning) of cotillón it does not refer to the dance party itself but to the things that the host gives to the guests for their on use during the revelry, such as masks (which seem to be the main thing) and other things like streamers and horns, maybe confetti.
My Webster's Collegiate gives this meaning for COTILLION: 1) Orig. a ballroom dance for couples, resembling the quadrille; now, chiefly U.S., at formal balls, an elaborate dance, executed under the leadership of one couple, marked by the giving of favors and frequent changing of partners; a german. 2) Music for this dance.
My Pequeño Larousse Ilustrado gives this for cotillón: Danza con figuras en la cual se distribuyen obsequios.
Neither of these matches exactly the meaning of cotillón as my friend described it. In both definitions, however, favors and obsequios are mentioned. Could cotillón in this sense be translated as favors?
Gracias por ayudarme con esto.
My Webster's Collegiate gives this meaning for COTILLION: 1) Orig. a ballroom dance for couples, resembling the quadrille; now, chiefly U.S., at formal balls, an elaborate dance, executed under the leadership of one couple, marked by the giving of favors and frequent changing of partners; a german. 2) Music for this dance.
My Pequeño Larousse Ilustrado gives this for cotillón: Danza con figuras en la cual se distribuyen obsequios.
Neither of these matches exactly the meaning of cotillón as my friend described it. In both definitions, however, favors and obsequios are mentioned. Could cotillón in this sense be translated as favors?
Gracias por ayudarme con esto.