New Prompt

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

Okay, this prompt left me running for a dictionary. I pulled a bunch of words from those word of the day lists, and I had never heard this one. That's what I get for copy-pasting huge lists without actually reading them. But I'm going to be good and go with it since it came to the top.

Glissade

Has *anyone* actually heard of this?? I looked it up and I got...

From Mirriam Webster

French, noun, slide, glissade, from glisser to slide
1 : to perform a ballet glissade
2 : to slide in a standing or squatting position down a snow-covered slope without the aid of skis

From Dictionary.com

–noun
1. a skillful glide over snow or ice in descending a mountain, as on skis or a toboggan.
2. Dance. a sliding or gliding step.
–verb (used without object)
3. to perform a glissade.
[Origin: 1830–40; < F, equiv. to gliss(er) to slip, slide + -ade -ade1]

From American Ballet Theater

Glide. A traveling step executed by gliding the working foot from the fifth position in the required direction, the other foot closing to it. Glissade is a terre à terre step and is used to link other steps. After a demi-plié in the fifth position the working foot glides along the floor to a strong point a few inches from the floor. The other foot then pushes away from the floor so that both knees are straight and both feet strongly pointed for a moment; then the weight is shifted to the working foot with a fondu. The other foot, which is pointed a few inches from the floor, slides into the fifth position in demi-plié. When a glissade is used as an auxiliary step for small or big jumps, it is done with a quick movement on the upbeat. Glissades are done with or without change of feet, and all begin and end with a demi-plié. There are six glissades: devant, derrière, dessous, dessus, en avant, en arrière, the difference between them depending on the starting and finishing positions as well as the direction. Glissade may also be done sur les pointes.

From Wikipedia:

Glissade is the usually voluntary act of descending a steep slope of snow in a controlled manner either for the sheer thrill of the ride and/or to bypass tedious scree. Glissading is an alternative to plunge stepping and also cuts down on descent time.

Sitting glissade is the easiest to learn and generally provides the best feeling of being in control. It also works better in softer snow where the standing glissade would be ineffective. Basically, just sit down and push yourself off holding on to your ice axe in a self-arrest position. Push the spike of the axe into the snow on one side and use it as a rudder to control your speed and prevent your body from overextending forward.   To halt your momentum, dig the spike in deeper and gently dig in your heels—do not do it abruptly or chances are, you will be doing a "heart in mouth" somersault. For an emergency stop, self-arrest.  The major drawback to the sitting glissade is your outer layers getting wet. A good pair of nylon coated rain pants really comes in handy.

The standing glissade is the preferred method if you know how to do it and snow conditions are acceptable. This form allows you a better view of route hazards, provides better maneuverability and cuts down the wet and abrasive forces of the sitting glissade. The standing glissade is best done over firm snow with a soft top layer. Start in a semi-crouched position with the knees moderately bent and your arms spread out for balance. Feet can be together or farther apart as needed but keep one foot slightly ahead of the other to improve stability and prevent nose dives. To slow down or stop, you can stand up and dig your heels in, crouch and drag your ice axe or turn as if you were downhill skiiing.

 

Comments

[jans-intentions.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's a weird one, all right. I'm going to put it in the new xangel since I'm working on that now, I think. How I don't really know, lol.

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

A dancing stripper would work for me ;)

[piksa.livejournal.com]

Again a totally weird word. *g*

Thanks for the definitions you provided. Surprisingly I already got an idea what to write. Just have to be creative...

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

These are strange words, but I"m glad the definition helped this time. Personally, I still have no idea what I'm going to do.

[strickens-girl.livejournal.com]

I've actually heard of it. It's a dancing term. Anyone who has ever taken ballet would recognize it. Of course, it's been nearly 5 years since I took a dance class, but I still know the term. *g*

[dedra.livejournal.com]

I knew it from ballet class as well, surprisingly enough, although it's been 40 years since my last class *OMG!*

Interesting stuff should come from this one...

[fan-spagle.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful prompt! I'm just loving the words you pick!

[authoressnebula.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh, I LOVE YOU. Do you know how many times I've done this stupid little step and never known it?

I'm not good with the technical names, but as soon as I figured out from the ABT's def, I knew exactly what it was. YESYESYESYESYES!!!

*does happy dance in honor of the dance!prompt*

~Nebula

[mentalme85.livejournal.com]

I've never heard of it before, but apparently I've seen some! Google says it's also a fighting term:

*Flowing attack on the blade, executed from an engaged guard position, that displaces the opposing blade by gliding down the opposing weapon, foible to forte.
www.fightdirector.com/GLOSSARYDEFG.htm

*From engagement, to glide or slide down the length of the opponent's blade, extending to threaten a line of attack, usually to provoke a reaction.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=define%3AGlissade&meta=