The Slinky

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1s+2s+3s set, cross passing RSh; repeat back to places
9-16 1s+2s set and link and dance 4H round to the left to finish on sides 2s facing down and 1s facing up. 213
17-24 2s+1s+3s dance RSh parallel reels of 3 on the sides. 2M, 1M and 3L finish by dancing long way into place
25-32 1s+3s set and link then circle 4H round to left

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)

Dance Notes

Keith Rose's Crib Diagram

The Slinky - Full Size And Key To Symbols

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Dance Information

Made from steel or plastic, it can perform gravity-defying tricks, such as walking down stairs or transferring from hand to hand. The toy's appeal comes from its simple design and its physics-based movement.

When pushed, its coils stretch and reform due to gravitational force, creating a wave-like effect. The Slinky became a popular American toy soon after its introduction and remains iconic today.

When placed on a stairway or stepped surface, the Slinky moves by transferring energy in a wave along its coils. This causes the spring to tumble end over end, resembling a walking motion as it descends one step at a time.

When a Slinky is dropped from the top, tension changes must travel to the bottom before it starts falling. Initially, the top falls while the bottom stays suspended, creating a brief suspension. The spring contracts as gravity pulls it down, and tension decreases. This causes an upward acceleration at the bottom, making it appear still. The phenomenon is influenced by the Slinky's mass and tension distribution.

The Slinky

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