big dance
n.— «[Jim] Valvano was not totally disappointed. “I feel we deserve a spot in the N.C.A.A. tournament next week,” he said. “I think it would be a shame with 22 victories not to be invited to the big dance.”» —“Virginia Victor—N. Carolina Wins” by Gordon S. White Jr. New York Times Mar. 7, 1982. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Lucy in Louisa, Virginia, recalls that if her mother was exasperated when the kids were misbehaving, she’d announce I’m going to put you both in a wet paper bag and see who falls out first! This is part of a complete episode.
Related
Rose in Lebanon, Virginia recalls a phrase passed down from her great-grandmother: The night before the first day of school, parents would come into the children’s bedroom and say in a singsong voice: School butter, school butter. This...