A Note on the Origin of Tandas....

I found the following post in an eight-year-old discussion thread about the origin of the tanda, and I find it very interesting. I've heard this explanation before, but I've never heard it stated with such clarity. I like the comments about the lata, and how the term abides in contemporary speech. However, it occurs to me that even if the facts given here are correct, there could be other important factors contributing to the development of the tanda. Your comments welcome....

Sergio Vandekier

8 years ago

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There was a time, very early in tango history (1880 - 1920) when tango was danced in "pirigundines" also called "academias". These places were situated in the periphery of the city and required special permits from the City hall to function. Pirigundines continued to function till not too long ago although with different characteristics from the original ones.

Those places, where music was played and hired women were available to dance with, were patronized by lonely males in search of fun and perhaps some romance.

They normally were required to buy a ticket called "lata" (tin), because they were made of tin. Those tichets allowed the male to dance a set number of tangos, milongas or valses, or a mixture of them. For example: three tangos, one milonga and one vals. The male client gave the "ticket" to the female dancer and started dancing with her.

The "Cortina" a music different from tango, announced the end of the set or "tanda". Couples separated.

To dance another tanda another ticket had to be given to the lady. This sequence continued during the evening till two or three in the morning.

There are expresions in our coloquial language of Buenos Aires that refer to certain elements of those days.

"Tener la lata" (to hold the tin) : It means to wait a long time. " Fui al medico y tuve una lata the una hora " (I went to the doctor and had to wait for one hour).

This is a reference to the time when a man had to wait for the lady , tin in hand, till she became available to dance with him. He would say then "tuve la lata" for a long time till I could dance with her.

Best Wishes, Sergio

Comments

[Jantango]

The more complete definition is from todotango.com that mentions "ficha de lata" (token of tin) received by prostitutes from the madame of the prostibulo. they were paid 50% on Monday for their work.

lata

(pop.) Conversación larga y sostenida, particularmente si es molesta (TG.), charla inútil, aburrida, interminable (JAS.), fastidiosa, molesta, palabrerío, discurso// sable (LS.) (por su vaina de latón)// ficha de lata que las prostitutas recibían de la administradora del burdel, a cambio del dinero del cliente y que los días lunes cambiaban por el cincuenta por ciento del dinero, que aquella entregaba al rufián (VB.). Posibilitaba el control de la actuación de cada pupila del prostíbulo// ficha que se entregaba por cada oveja esquilada y posteriormente se cambiaba por dinero.