Olin,

I've heard the phrase 'half set' used only in the context of Irish set
dancing. In this case it means two couples, instead of the usual four
couples in a square, adapt the set for just the two. Here I'm talking about
the Irish set dances derived from quadrilles. Half sets were very common in
rural Ireland, some more common than the 'full' set, so that the half set
was a specific variation of the full set.

Today with the set dance revival going on for 20 or so years now, half
sets are less common, but if there are two couples who want to dance the
set, they can certainly adapt. They don't have to sit out the set.

I would also add that in rural Ireland that sets would be adapted for
more than 4 couples also. 6 couples? 10 couples? no problem. Nobody need
sit out if they wanted to dance and there was room.

Sla/n anois,
Michael


"olin" <olinb@tlen.pl> wrote in message
news:23fb7689.0405271047.778f6b3e@posting.google.com...
Dear all,
I am a literary translator and am confused about a term 'half set' -
what kind of dance is it? can anyone give me any clues about it, like
where does it come from etc.
thanks for help,
A. B.