In 1912, a craze for energetic 'animal dances' such as the Turkey Trot and Bunny Hug swept through American youth culture, shocking traditional ballroom instructors. These uninhibited dances emphasized physicality and spontaneity, breaking away from the formalities of previous dance styles. The animal dance craze marked a significant cultural shift, reflecting the changing social norms and attitudes of the early 20th century.

The introduction of the animal dances in 1912, with their raw, syncopated rhythms, inspired Imagist and Vorticist poets to abandon classical references. This shift allowed for a new poetic vocabulary that embraced the vibrancy of urban life and the immediacy of modern experience.