Swing Through

An online definition may be found here.

Bars: 4.

A swing through starts from a wavy line of four dancers (each dancer facing the opposite way from those adjacent) holding hands. Those holding left hands drop them, and those who can turn right half. Then drop right hands and take left hands where possible, and turn half left.

History

In the 19^th century the term "swing" had many meanings, but it did not mean a partner swing. It most frequently meant a hand turn, a right hand turn if nothing else was specified.

The earliest use I can find of "Swing Thru" is from a list of Square Dance calls from Sets in Order, March, 1963. I assume this call has the modern meaning but it's impossible to tell from this list of names.

The next use is from the May 1963 issue, where Willard Orlich deviser who is first mentioned in a list of breaks. This issue also contains a definition of the call, written by Del Coolman (who wrote more of the above breaks than anyone else):

SWING THRU

By Del Coolman, Flint, Michigan

If two facing couples were to start a Pass Thru and stop at that point when they were in a line of four with individuals facing alternately they would be in a position to do a Swing Thru. On the command the line would break in the center and the outside two couples would turn a halfway around in a right hand swing. At this point hands would be released and the two on the outside would remain facing as they are while the two in the center would take left hands, turn halfway around, moving forward, and join hands in a line of four facing alternately with the person on the outside.

Some dances which (probably) use this figure

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