light fantastic toe en · NOUN
Etymology
An allusion to John Milton's 1645 lyric poem L’Allegro, specifically the lines: "Com, and trip it as ye go / On the light fantastick toe."
Meanings
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(obsolete, uncountable) Nimble and agile dancing ability; flamboyant and gay dance.
Sunday is the gayest, merriest, and most convivial day; the violins are playing, their cheering sounds [dismal enough WE think] echo in every house; and the "light fantastic toe" displays its every skill.
1822 June 7, The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, page 2, column 3:No "light fantastic toe" is required here; only a pair of hard soles and infinite energy.
1925 August 5, The News, Adelaide, page 4, column 4: