What is Breaking? Vocabulary for the Newest Olympic Event
The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will feature a single new event: breaking. Just like skateboarding in the Tokyo Olympics, this may be the first time many people have seen this sport in action.
If breaking is new to you, this article will explain a little of its background and introduce some of the most important words you'll hear during the competition.
What is breaking?
Breaking is a form of dance that was created by African-American and Caribbean-American kids in New York City in the 1970s. It involves stylish and expressive movements using the entire body and is performed both standing and while very close to the ground.
The dance is performed to different kinds of music, such as hip hop, funk and even disco. It is traditionally a very competitive dance, and dancers will often directly challenge or tease their opponents through their movements.
Breaking is one of the four original elements of hip hop culture, along with DJing, rapping and graffiti art.
Important breaking terms and vocabulary
Just like any other passionate community, there is a lot of special vocabulary used in the world of breaking. However, if you are watching the event in Paris, the terms below are some of the most basic that you should understand.
B-boy / B-girl
These words, along with "breaker," refer to people who perform in this event. In fact, breaking is also called "b-boying" and "b-girling."
The "B" is short for "break," which is a section of a song that temporarily removes other instruments and focuses on the drums and percussion. Breaks were what the original b-boys and b-girls danced to when breaking began in the 1970s.
The park was full of b-boys and b-girls practicing their moves.
I've been b-boying since I was a kid.
Cypher
A "cypher" is a circle formed by b-boys and b-girls; one by one, each member of the cypher enters the circle and dances. In the Olympics, only two people are on stage at a time, but the stage's circular shape relates to its original meaning.
This word can be used as both a noun and a verb, as you can see in the following examples:
All of the breakers formed a cypher in the middle of the club.
Let's move to a bigger room so we have more space to cypher.
Battle
"Battle" usually means a fight between two people or groups. In breaking, the meaning is very similar, except the "fighting" happens through dance!
When you hear this word in the Olympics, it refers to a match between two breakers.
Throw down
“Throw downs” are the set of rounds within a battle. In the Olympics, there are three rounds per battle, and each breaker has a maximum of 60 seconds to perform their routine.
MC
A person who talks to a crowd while hosting a large event is called a “master of ceremonies.” In hip hop culture, this was shortened to simply “MC,” and it can be used as both a noun and a verb.
The MC is responsible for getting the crowd excited for the event.
John always MCs all of our local parties.
Classic breaking competitions require not only breakers, but also DJs. Unlike other sports, such as gymnastics and figure skating, breakers in the Olympics cannot choose the music they will perform to — it's the DJ's choice!
Round robin
This term is not specific to breaking, but you may hear it during the event.
A "round robin" is a style of tournament in which each participant takes turns competing against every other participant. This is different from some other styles in which players are eliminated after a certain number of losses.
The Olympic breaking event will be held as a round-robin competition.
Power moves
Breaking is most known for dancers spinning, flipping and performing other techniques that require a lot of physical strength. These fancier techniques are therefore called "power moves."
Roger has lots of bruises from all of the time he spends practicing power moves.
Toprock / Downrock
"Toprock" refers to movements with the hands and feet that breakers do while standing. “Downrock” refers to similar movements while close to the ground.
The combination of these two is often called “footwork.” Breakers use footwork to express their individual style and to link power moves throughout their routine.
Here is a quick look at a toprock example:
Flare
Similar to a move performed by gymnasts, a "flare" is a technique in which breakers swing out both of their legs in a circular movement while balancing their bodies with their hands on the ground.
Freeze
These are poses in which breakers suddenly stop moving and seem to “freeze” in a dramatic position — often with their bodies horizontal or upside-down!
The b-boy ended his routine with a stylish freeze that made the crowd cheer.
Wrap-up
According to the official Olympic rules, breakers will receive scores in a variety of categories, including one called "vocabulary." But this is not referring to knowledge of words — it's the variety of dance moves a breaker knows!
However, if you'd like to expand your own vocabulary of dance-related English, search for a tutor who shares your passion and book a lesson with Engoo today!
