A number of dance scripts quote an underarm turn as an "Allemande". Dance definitions refer to "Alamana" as a turn usually in Latin. Can some one clarify the term, or is it a colloquialism that has crept into dance script jargon?

"is it a colloquialism that has crept into dance script jargon?"

I believe the opposite is true. The term Allemande has always been used in Old Time dances (now referred to as Classical Sequence and also known as Vintage) which pre-dates Latin American as we know it.

I would guess that both terms are derived from the same root, possibly French "a la main" or "to the hand".

Allemande & alemana have the same root, in language, and both are widely used, in classical and modern sequence dancing. Usually, however, what is meant is some variety of underarm turn (look at the start of the modern sequence 'Rumba One', for example). It is also widely used as a 'change of place' action.

This allenande/alemana is not intended to mean the same thing that modern Latin technique would mean by an 'Alemana' - which is a particular type of turn, having a specific technique.

It can be confusing, but this usage predates modern Latin technique, so we shouldn't complain!

French is ...Alemand

Spanish ... Alemana

In dance terms.. to turn under the arm.. Intern. Latin used it to describe a turn to the Right, and the American style just calls it a plain old U./ Arm turn, ( L or R ) .

Spanish would be... vuelta dereche..

and yes, it does pre date all ballroom as we know it..

An Under arm turn is more like a Spot Turn and can be done either to the left or to the right. An Alemana is to the ladies right and has a type of Ronda action on the right foot without it leaving the floor. The step in question is step 5 which is in the book as Forward Walk then Swivel making 3/8 iof a turn to the right. This commomly used after arriving in the Fan Position.