[Ads-l] Antedating of "Rug Cutting" and "Cut a Rug"

[Ben Zimmer]

I'd guess that "strug" here is short for "struggle," which could mean "a
party or dance." See GDoS:

https://greensdictofslang.com/entry/wqdkx4q

On Fri, Oct 9, 2026 at 10:15 AM ADSGarson O'Toole <
00001aa1be50b751-dmarc-request at listserv.uga.edu> wrote:

> Excellent citations, Fred. Here is "cut a rug" and "cut the rug" with
> the desired sense on the same day in November 1937.
>
> Date: November 27, 1937
> Newspaper: Detroit Tribune: The Leading Negro Weekly of Michigan
> Newspaper Location: Detroit, Michigan
> Article: East Detroit News
> Author: Katie Jones
> Quote Page 9, Column 8
> Database: GenealogyBank
>
> [Begin excerpt]
> Did you want to cut a rug? You should have gone to the society strug
> given by the East Detroit Smart Set Social Club. There was a large
> crowd but it wasn't so snug. There was dancing, entertainment and
> plenty of fun.
> [End excerpt]
>
> I do not know the meaning of "strug". You may wish to examine the scan
> in GenealogyBank to double-check that word. It is not in the OED.
>

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