# That "reach back, grab your ankle and pump" dance move... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 2, 2005, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-reach-back-grab-your-ankle-and-pump-dance-move/310858 "2005-07-02T20:10:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2005, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-reach-back-grab-your-ankle-and-pump-dance-move/310858/1 "2005-07-02T20:10:23Z")
…which is clearly the most ridiculous-looking move ever. - when did it start? I don’t remember it from, say, the beginnings of break dancing or other hip-hop moves. - is it only meant to be an example of an incredibly dumb-looking dance move, or is it a “for real” move? If so, to what music and who does it? ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2005, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-reach-back-grab-your-ankle-and-pump-dance-move/310858/2 "2005-07-02T23:22:49Z")
FUNKY CHICKEN!!! whooooo!!!1! (I think. If not, then this is also a silly dance move.) ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2005, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-reach-back-grab-your-ankle-and-pump-dance-move/310858/3 "2005-07-03T17:42:31Z")
_bump_ ---
**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2005, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-reach-back-grab-your-ankle-and-pump-dance-move/310858/4 "2005-07-03T19:22:08Z")
Sorry, I’m not sure what it is. But it’s not the [Funky Chicken](http://www.zuidwijk.nl/fun/funky/)/ ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-reach-back-grab-your-ankle-and-pump-dance-move/310858/5 "2005-07-03T19:32:59Z")
😕 I’m not much of a club goer or a music video watcher for that matter. “Reach back, grab your ankle, and pump” sounds like directions for a porno. I have never seen that. I’ve heard of “drop it like its’ hot” in which you quickly squat down to the floor, slap it (the floor), and come up slowly while sticking your butt in the air, but not your thing. I’m interested now. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-reach-back-grab-your-ankle-and-pump-dance-move/310858/6 "2005-07-03T19:35:18Z")
No - this move is so bad it gets used on commercials. I saw it on an ad for something - a nerdy dude eating pizza late at night in his kitchen? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2005, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-reach-back-grab-your-ankle-and-pump-dance-move/310858/7 "2005-07-03T20:08:53Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > No - this move is so bad it gets used on commercials. I saw it on an ad for something - a nerdy dude eating pizza late at night in his kitchen? Yep, for DiGiorno’s pizza. My husband went to high school and did drama club with that nerdy dude and hangs his head in shame every time we see Brian being such a dork. Then we realize he’s being paid pretty well for being such a dork, and have to congratulate him for that! 😃 I don’t think I’ve ever seen it as a serious move. If I was to WAG, I’d opine that it looks awfully Saturday Night Live inspired, but I don’t watch it enough to know for sure. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-reach-back-grab-your-ankle-and-pump-dance-move/310858/8 "2005-07-03T20:19:53Z")
I saw it used a number of times in a touring production of the critically acclaimed musical _Mamma Mia_. The dudes who used this move actually made it look pretty darned good. ---
**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2005, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-reach-back-grab-your-ankle-and-pump-dance-move/310858/9 "2005-07-03T21:34:08Z")
Late night at a club + too much to drink + foot cramp + not wanting to lose the “groove” = Goofy new dance move. That’s my theory, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![diku](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4af34b/32.png) [@diku](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diku)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2005, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-reach-back-grab-your-ankle-and-pump-dance-move/310858/10 "2005-07-04T05:29:41Z")
I know what you’re talking about, and I’m pretty sure the first time I saw it was in a Kid and Play video. I think it was Kid doing it. You know, the one with the big giant hair. ---
**Author:** ![petalpusher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@petalpusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petalpusher)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2005, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-reach-back-grab-your-ankle-and-pump-dance-move/310858/11 "2005-07-04T12:09:17Z")
I believe that’s the dance move for cotton eyed joe.