According to
The Thistle #28
(May 1966):
The ideas in this dance came from fencing. But it is not a “fencing lilt”. The origin is only of historical
interest and does not affect the manner of dancing.
Bars 1–4 represent a one-two, where a fencer feints on one side of his opponent’s blade and
disengages to make the real attack on the other side. Bars 5–8 represent one-two-deceive
(get a fencer to explain this). When one fencer retires his opponent usually advances. This inspired
bars 17–24. Sometimes fencers rush up so close to each other that they have to be separated by the
referee. This is known as a corps-à-corps. Hence bars 25–32.
The tune was chosen first. Then the fencing ideas were poured into the mould.