Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A popular dance of the 1960s, fueled by the success of the song "Wah-Watusi" by The Orlons in 1962. Secondary in popularity to dances such as the Twist.
  • verb intransitive To dance the watusi.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Fortunately, Abner Golightly chose this opportunity to pull me into a lively dance he called the “Tennessee Tornado,” which was a cross between the jitterbug and the watusi.

    How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf Molly Harper 2011

  • Fortunately, Abner Golightly chose this opportunity to pull me into a lively dance he called the “Tennessee Tornado,” which was a cross between the jitterbug and the watusi.

    How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf Molly Harper 2011

  • Fortunately, Abner Golightly chose this opportunity to pull me into a lively dance he called the “Tennessee Tornado,” which was a cross between the jitterbug and the watusi.

    How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf Molly Harper 2011

  • Fortunately, Abner Golightly chose this opportunity to pull me into a lively dance he called the “Tennessee Tornado,” which was a cross between the jitterbug and the watusi.

    How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf Molly Harper 2011

  • Fortunately, Abner Golightly chose this opportunity to pull me into a lively dance he called the “Tennessee Tornado,” which was a cross between the jitterbug and the watusi.

    How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf Molly Harper 2011

  • Lustrous pop production and sassy vocals update the kind of retro rock workouts that might have once moved listeners to do the frug (or watusi, for that matter).

    Datebook | March 19-25 2010

  • Lustrous pop production and sassy vocals update the kind of retro rock workouts that might have once moved listeners to do the frug (or watusi, for that matter).

    Datebook | March 19-25 2010

  • Another plus: The island doesn't move -- you do, while watusi-ing to the classic (but remixed) theme song.

    Fall 2010 TV season preview 2010

  • Lustrous pop production and sassy vocals update the kind of retro rock workouts that might have once moved listeners to do the frug (or watusi, for that matter).

    Datebook | March 19-25 2010

  • Lustrous pop production and sassy vocals update the kind of retro rock workouts that might have once moved listeners to do the frug (or watusi, for that matter).

    Datebook | March 19-25 2010

Comments

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  • The Watusi was a solo dance that enjoyed brief popularity during the early 1960s. It was almost as popular as the Twist. In 1961, Puerto Rico jazz musician Ray Barretto had his first hit with a song called "El Watusi" and although he didn't invent the style, he came to be typecast as connected to the style.

    The Orlons, a vocal quartet from Philadelphia, had the biggest hit of their career as recording artists with their recording of "The Wah Watusi", which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on June 9, 1962 and remained on the Hot 100 for 14 weeks; it peaked at #2 and held the position for two weeks.

    Barretto's recording, "El Watusi", debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on April 27, 1963 and remained on the Hot 100 for 9 weeks; it peaked at #17 for 9 weeks.

    Its name came from the Batutsi tribe of Rwanda.

    _Wikipedia

    February 24, 2008