Yes, it's another round of that classic guessing game - Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, Abstract [or any combination thereof]. This effort - '03/'04 should address any queries, but then again, may just serve to confuse and baffle which some might say is the point of the game. Patience, integrity and a decent search engine may be useful ....
[Software] No, not Flamenco dancing shoes. I think we covered that earlier. [GL] No, not line dancing per se, though I believe there have been instances of this type of dance which involved lining up for a set of choreographed steps. Here's a recap of what we presently know: the words on the card represent a type of footwear worn all but exclusively by women, while dancing in a particular way that is associated with another particular type of performance that is most closely associated with the United States but which also became associated with another country when performers from that country made a very strong contribution. Drums and tambourines drew favorable responses from the audience, which could suggest that what distinguishes the style of performance or dance is its rhythm or beat. You may also wish to consider that the kind of clothing worn on the foot is not always called a shoe. :-)
[irach] No, not connected to salsa, mambo, cha cha, tango or any other Latin-identified style. (I'm getting the feeling that the words on the card never made it too far outside of the U.S.)
[Raak] Yes. There is a strong African American influence/connection and I expect that influence traces back to Africa. *question engenders exuberant applause*
Is the vegetable (often wood) connection previously referred to part of the footwear, or is it an entirely separate entity related to the words on the card?
[Raak] No, not pattens. I had to look that one up; like the words on the card, they are not so much in fashion these days. Come to think, it might help to keep in mind that dancing, music and fashion all change with the times.
[CdM] Yes. A boot. *audience cheers as if its team has just won the world cup* [INJ] No, not stilts. But yes, I have been expecting the hand of Rosie to come and smite me any moment now. :-)
[INJ] No, not related to Mariachi/zapataedo. [Raak] Yes, I can think of at least one professional cheer leading squad I associate with this footwear. (However, the footwear was originally more connected with the runway than with running backs.) *Texans in the audience nod, approvingly*
Not sure why I keep guessing - I have no desire to be in the chair next time round. Guess I'm intrigued ... and if the solution turns out to be ridiculously obscure ... I can then 'do a Rosie' [sans swearage] :-D
Can't find any reference to these as either dance-specific or made of leather and wood (wikipedia refers to them in purely fashion terms and often/mostly made of plastic - which is what I would have guessed). Can someone point me at a helpful reference. Not annoyed, you understand, I just stopped guessing because I'd explored everything I could given the information available and I'd like to know how I could have got there. Oh, and:
[INJ] Alas, I didn't check wikipedia before I chose the words on the card. My bad--I will remember to do so should I ever be handed the baton again. I relied on my memory of my first pair of go go boots: they where white patent leather and had a stacked wooden heel. I believe I answered the question about dancing shoes early on by saying the the item on the card could be characterized as a dancing shoe without saying it was a dancing shoe directly; I thought I was giving the best answer possible. Later when I realized that it was limiting everyone's thinking, I tried to draw attention to the fashion connection. I was surprised how few questions focused on the style of music connected with the dancing (particularly after some pretty direct hits and/or hints e.g. American-originated, distinguished by its beat, African American influence, etc.) or (until CdM) inquired whether the shoes were currently or historically popular. Anyway--while I am very glad you are not annoyed, INJ--still I am apologetic. This was a round of Painfully Difficult AVMA. Sorry.
[Raak] Salty bacon crisps? NO :) [irach] Edible? NO [Software] Wearable? NO [cfm] Primarily decorative as opposed to utilitarian? NO - mostly utilitarian [GL] Man made? In the main - YES.
[Raak] Made of leather, wood, and metal fixings? The wording of your question requires a NO answer, even though leather, wood and metal are all components of this. [Tuj] YES - still unique :) [irach] Furniture/home furnishing - NO, not alone [although your question prompts a murmur from the very sleepy audience] [GL] Wood? YES - wood is one of the vegetably bits of this [cfm] Fictional? NO
[Tuj] Entertainment? NO not really ... aw, maybe in some respects but - my reply really won't help. [cfm] Elements effecting/affecting each other? Oh YES - absolutely. [Raak] Moving parts? YES [GL] Bigger than a phone box? YES - massively so.
*is wondering if the word ABSTRACT should have been part of the opening clue*
[CdM] Located in Europe? NO *audience vociferous in their approval of a CdM question* [cfm] Leather only animal element? NO [INJ] LtUaE? Life and Most things might be found within this :) [irach] Lubrication? I expect so - but knowing this isn't particularly useful. [Raak] Factory? The answer on the card is NOT a factory, although factories are part of the answer [as are moving parts and lubrication] ;-)
[Raak] Extracting resources? Not really NO [Tuj] N America? NO *audience applauds this line of questioning* [GL] A country? NO ... but *audience sees no need to hold back ...* [cfm] Human? YES! *... claps, cheers and wild excitement accompany the reply to cfm's question*
[cfm] I think the phrase 're-examine your assumptions' has been used in this game when it's fairly clear that a player is not moving in the right direction. Apologies if, by inaccurate replies, I have misled you. Having said that - I owe you an answer:
[cfm] Many types of items are likely to be produced at the manufacturing facilities which are likely to be a part of the answer. :-)
So, bearing in mind that the item is unique and yet is only _likely_ to encompass a manufacturing facility/factory, does that mean that the composition of thing on the card changes over time? It evolves?
[Raak] A City? A City! YES - yes - it's a city *audience collectively faints with relief* [cfm] Sort of YES to everything you said - and now you know what you're looking for ... name that city :-)
[Raak] Not Pyongyang oop north because ... [CdM]... BUSAN it is! [my eldest has just returned from a wonderful year there teaching primary school age kids]
*hands the shiny clean and impeccably-mannered baton to CdM*