caper merchant
An obsolete British slang term for a dancing teacher, playing on the word caper meaning a lively dance step or leap.
Definitions
#1·Apr 28, 2026
An obsolete British slang term for a dancing teacher, playing on the word caper meaning a lively dance step or leap. The merchant suffix was a productive slang element for someone who deals in or practises a particular activity. Now entirely archaic.
The local caper merchant charged sixpence a lesson and packed the hall every Tuesday evening.
Origin: From caper (a dance step or leap, from Italian capriola) plus merchant; slang for a dealer in or practitioner of something. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
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#2·Apr 26, 2026
(slang, obsolete) A teacher of dancing.
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Other words near "caper merchant" (C)
cape anncapedCape Dutchcapekinocap energyCap-enesecapernoitiecapeshitCapexitcap failcapiscecapital city
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