Tricenarians

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 6 1s+2s also 3s+4s dance 6 bars of Double Fig of 8 (1s/4s cross down up, 2s/3s dance up/down to start). (2)14(3)
7- 8 End couples (2s and 3s) cross RH while 1s+4s cross RH on sides. 2413
9-16 1s+4s dance RH across; 4s and 1s turn partner RH to end in middle, 4s facing down, 1s facing up
17-20 1s make arch and dance up while 4s dance down under arch. 1s face 2s, 4s face 3s. 2143
21-24 1s+2s also 4s+3s turn once round (1s dancing in and up, 4s dancing in and down to start). 1s+4s end in centre and join 2H with partner
25-32 1s+4s dance Poussette. 2413

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

Keith Rose's Crib Diagram

Tricenarians - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Instruction Videos

Dance Information

The word derives from Latin roots associated with the number thirty, specifically from "tricenarius", meaning relating to thirty. It follows the same pattern as other decade-based terms such as "quadragenarian" for those in their forties and "quinquagenarian" for those in their fifties, although "tricenarian" is less commonly used in modern English.

In standard usage, a tricenarian is anyone who has reached their thirtieth birthday but has not yet turned forty. While the term is recognised and correctly formed, it is relatively rare in everyday language, where phrases such as "in their thirties" are far more common. Its use tends to appear in more formal, literary, or technical contexts where precise or classical terminology is preferred.

That said, "Tricenarians" makes a more effective and distinctive dance title than "In Their Thirties".

Lastly, "tricenarian" should not be confused with "tricentarian" (with a 'T'). By contrast, the prefix "tri-cent-" relates to three hundred, so "tricentarian" would logically denote an age of around 300 years. This form is not used in standard age classification, and its appearance in this context is best understood as a spelling error or misunderstanding rather than a recognised alternative, and is certainly not applicable to Bethany and Kai.