Why is a big fancy dance called a "ball?"

What’s the origin of the word “ball” to mean a huge event with dancing and dinner and formality?

According to my OED, it comes from the Latin ballare - to dance. I guess ballet has a similar root.

www.m-w.com concurs.

They damn well better.

Not sure if this is the kind of answer you’re looking for, but my American Heritage Dictionary shows the word’s derivation as:

It goes on to reference the Indo-European root word, in a typeface I won’t even try to duplicate.

I’d guess the Spanish bailar, to dance, derives more directly from the same source.

Damn, you guys are quick.

All I know is that rats have small balls because they don’t dance much.

It’s also why fortune tellers dance VERY slowly.

Thanks, guys!

The term used to be much more common not that many years ago. My favorite Texas swing song is Big Ball’s in Cowtown by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.

Then there’s the story about the English lady who was staying in a hotel and complained about the noise.

  • They’re holding a Highlander’s ball, Ma’am.

  • Well, it’s about time they let go!

Cited as a large dance type thingy first in 1632.