Definition of lap dancing

The term "lap dancing" originated in the late 1980s and early 1990s in the United States, primarily in urban areas such as New York City and Miami. The term is used to describe a type of erotic dance performed by a woman (or rarely a man) in a nightclub or strip club setting, where the dancer sits or grinds on the lap of a seated customer, who is typically a male. The dance itself originated as a variation of the pole dance, which many historians trace back to early 20th century traveling burlesque shows. However, while pole dances were typically performed on a vertical pole, lap dances were instead performed on a customer's lap, often while the customer remained seated in a chair. The exact origins of the term "lap dancing" are unclear, with some scholars suggesting that it refers to the physical position of the dancer's lap as she sits on top of the customer, while others suggest that it may be a reference to the traditional English dance form of "lap dancing," which has no connection to strip club culture. Regardless of its origins, the term "lap dancing" has become a common and sometimes controversial part of popular culture, particularly in discussions around issues of sex work, moral censorship, and gender norms. While proponents argue that lap dancing is a form of expression and artistic performance, opponents criticize it as exploitative and degrading to women, as well as complicit with the objectification and sexualization of women's bodies in popular culture. In sum, the term "lap dancing" is a relatively new addition to the English language, reflecting the emergence of a new form of erotic dance and performance in contemporary urban culture. Its origins are unclear, but its connotations and controversies are complex and multi-faceted, reflecting the ongoing tensions between individual freedom, artistic expression, and social norms around sex and gender.