Talk:Harlem Shake

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Harlem Shake

Just no. It's an ephemeral Internet phenomenon like Gangnam Style. I don't believe it warrants an entry in a dictionary. Jamesjiao → ^{T ◊ C} 02:46, 9 March 2013 (UTC)

Delete this sense, but see, e.g.:

• 2007, Monica McKayhan, Indigo Summer, page 13:

  I taught her how to do the Harlem Shake and had to admit, she had rhythm.

• 2002, Emil Wilbakin, "What Becomes a Legend Most?", Vibe, Vol. 10, No. 11, page 38:

  Doing the Harlem shake and spinning like a trouper, she rocked the mike and the house with "Reminisce," "Happy," and "You Remind Me."

In short, there is a previous longstanding urban dance by this name, which should have an entry. bd2412 T 04:15, 9 March 2013 (UTC)

Are we sure that isn't the same dance? I have been under the impression that the Shake predates its recent popularity by at least a decade. - -sche (discuss) 20:08, 9 March 2013 (UTC)

My understanding of the situation is that the original Harlem Shake is an actual dance with some specific steps. The current internet fad has no "steps", but instead consists of the progression of a person doing any kind of dancing alone (while others ignore that person's actions), followed by the sudden appearance of a large group of people doing any kind of dancing, usually while wearing costumes (as examplified here by the world champion Miami Heat). In this interview, Harlem residents decry the trend as failing to reflect the actual dance. bd2412 T 00:05, 10 March 2013 (UTC)