According to <<link:thethistle/28|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.