Where does the phrase or expression "dancing with the lady with the
hole in her stocking" originate?  I've heard it several times in
pop/rock music (e.g., Bobby Darin, Joni Mitchell).  It's an intriguing
phrase.  Where does it come from?

This stocking phrase has had a long run! The earliest mention I could
find was in a pre-Civil War song.

http://members.aol.com/Dmpoulin/minstrel.html

Quote:

One of the earliest minstrels named Cool White (John Hodges), of the
Virginia Serenaders, wrote and published this song in 1844. At that
time it was titled "Lubly Fan". By the 1850's it was a standard fife,
fiddle, banjo tune.

"Buffalo Gals" (Also known as "Louisiana Gals" and as "Lubly Fan")

As I was lumb'ring down the street,
I asked her if she'd have a talk
I asked her "Would you want to dance
Oh I danced with the gal with a hole in her stockin'
I wanna make that gal my wife

Down the street, down the street,
Have a talk, have a talk
Want to dance, want to dance"
Her hip kept a rockin' and her toe kept a knockin'
Gal my wife, gal my wife

A handsome gal I chanced to meet,
Her feet took up the whole sidewalk
I thought that I would have a chance
I dance with the gal with a hole in her stockin'
Then I'd be happy all my life

Oh she was fair to view.
As she stood close to me.
To shake a foot with her.
And we danced by the light of the moon.
If I had her with me.

Chorus:
Buffalo gals won't you come out tonight?
Come out tonight; come out tonight?
Buffalo gals won't you come out tonight?
And dance by the light of the moon.

--------

A similar song entitled "Dance with a Dolly (With a Hole in Her
Stocking)" made the phrase popular again during WWII. Lyrics may be
found here:

http://www.hepdehopcat.com/songbook/dancewit.htm

I speculate that the phrase originated in the old superstition that
finding a hole in one's stocking is a sign that good luck is on the
way, or (alternatively) a sign that you will soon receive an important
letter.

7-26-2002

The information listed in the previous comment was quite interesting.

Where YOU probably heard it was in a Joni Mitchell song called "HELP
ME" from her 1974 COURT AND SPARK album, where a phrase in it goes
"Oh, didn't it feel good when we were sitting there talking, or lying
there--NOT TALKING--oh, didn't it feel good?  To dance with a lady
with a hole in her stocking!!  Didn't it feel good?  Didn't it feel
good????""

You can probably hunt around to find some JONI MITCHELL lyrics
websites that might contain lyrics to the entire song.  Thanks for
drumming up some good memories!!

SINCERELY,
4keith-ga