How About Shoki? Twerk dates back to 1820, says Oxford English Dictionary

The word "twerk" - a dance move popularised by singer Miley Cyrus - actually dates back to 1820, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Researchers found the word, one of 500 new dictionary entries, was first used in 1820, spelt twirk, to refer to a twisting or jerking movement or twitch.

The verb is believed to have emerged later in 1848 and the twerk spelling was used by 1901, the dictionary says. Cyrus performed the raunchy dance move at an MTV awards show in 2013.

The dictionary describes twerking as dancing "in a sexually provocative manner, using thrusting movements of the bottom and hips while in a low, squatting stance". It says the word in its current form has its roots in the early 1990s New Orleans "bounce" music scene, but the exact origin of twerk is uncertain. Read Full Gist Here [BBC}