POWAY - Have you heard the terms "poussette" or "hey on the left?" It's hard to believe that the word "maggot" has a place among beautiful ball gowns, tuxedos, nobility and violins. In fact, "maggot" means "favorite" when talking about English country dance.

English country dancing, or Renaissance dancing, began in the days of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. By 1650, it had become the "swing dance" of medieval times. It has been featured in movies such as Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" and "The Man in the Iron Mask."

Partners are not necessary, and there are no actual steps to learn as much as there are patterns of weaving and turning with a light, spring walk. Movement is forward and backward, sometimes sideways, all the while turning your partner, bowing, swirling or nearly marching.

Ellen Riley, who is originally from Philadelphia, started a group in Poway when her frustrations over not having a regular practice partner became too much for her. Riley had been using towels placed on the floor for partners. Her husband, Scott, who was never a dancer, attended one ball with her and has not missed one since.

New Yoork boasts the largest English country dance population in the United States, and the dancers' ages range from 9 to 90. English country dance groups hold one ball each year. This year's event will be held Oct. 4 in Pasadena.

Riley's classes are held from 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays at the Gene Hart Studio of Dance in the Oak Knoll Plaza off of Poway Road in Poway. In addition she is starting a six-week class in the fall through Palomar College. The classes will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 16 through Oct. 21, at Palomar College's Escondido campus. Cost is $49.