Thank you Terence, Ilove2Dance, and everybody else who contributed. That explanation makes sense.
However, after all that I still take issue with the choice of terminology... Not because it isn't a necessarily reasonable description, but because the choice of words is misleading.
Imagine a dance figure where you turn to the right while walking backwards. One might think of walking backwards as "going in reverse", and therefore describe it as a "reverse turn". You can't really argue with the logic; It makes perfect sense on its own. However, the term "reverse" in ballroom dancing is so rigidly associated with turning to the left, it's impossible to use the term to describe anything else without confusing everybody.
In my mind, the terms spin and pivot have the same sort of rigid association. So giving the name "spin" to a non-spinning figure is asking for confusion, even if it makes sense in its own way. I'm sure we could think of other sensible descriptions that don't come with the same kind of baggage.
Probably not worth the time I put into explaining it, but there it is anyway. :)
Regards,
Jonathan Atkinson
Licensed Phychotherapist
^^ That is to say, I carry a drivers' license, I'm kind of a wild and crazy guy, and I teach dancing which is quite therapeutic.
