SAINT VITUS

Saint Vitus's dance originally referred to the frenzied movements of religious fanatics who during the middle ages journeyed to the healing shrine of St. Vitus. Medical scientist later applied this moniker to acute disturbance of the central nervous system characterized by involuntary muscular movements of the face and extremities.

I'm confident my Dad didn't know such esoteric information and likely didn't care. However, he was fond of characterizing any excessive/involuntary scared butt jumping around as a "Saint Vitus dance". There just ain't no telling where he picked up this phrase?

Dad told an interesting tale of his own Saint Vitus dance. Seems one day a harmless, but rather elongated snake managed to climb the outside sill on the front door to his house. Brother Snake had a comfortable vantage point until Brother Gene decide to go out his front door.

As Dad opened the screen door, the snake was dislodged and fell on Dad (wrapping its length in coils around Dad's neck!).

According to Dad, Saint Vitus couldn't hold a candle to the yard stompin', twirl whirlin', hootin' holler, arm flingin' cotillion he staged on his lawn that day.

And the (innocent?) snake?? Dad allowed as how he stomped it to jelly once he unfurled his dance partner from his around his goozle.

Saint Vitus would have been proud!