Dance card

A dance card^[1] or programme du bal (also known by its German-language name, Tanzkarte) is used by a woman to record the names of the men with whom she intends to dance each successive dance at a formal ball.

History

Dance cards appear to have originated in the 18th century, but their use first became widespread in 19th-century Vienna, especially at the large balls during Fasching before Lent.

A dance card is typically a booklet with a decorative cover, listing dance titles, composers, and the person with whom the woman intended to dance. Typically, it would have a cover indicating the sponsoring organization of the ball and a decorative cord by which it could be attached to a lady's wrist or ball gown. From the 19th century until World War I, dance cards for the elite of Austria-Hungary were often very elaborate, with some even incorporating precious metals and jewels.

Modern times

As dance cards became more popular, demand prompted manufacturers and local artisans to diversify the lady’s courting tool into veritable objets d’art, using precious jewels and materials like silver, ivory and porcelain in all manner of decorative forms.

Air crews

U.S. Air Force aircrews in general, and those involved in flight tests in particular, use the term to describe the first card in a "deck" of flight or test maneuver cards. The "dance card" contains administrative data about the mission, aircraft, and aircrew as well as a list of the maneuvers to be flown. The card serves as a table of contents for the mission and a quick reference for the aircrew's use during the flight.^{[citation needed]}