The word "salsa" is derived from the word for sauce. The use of the term as a form of dance happened in 1975 because, like the sauce it is named after, it is a mixture of ingredients- Latin jazz and rock. The etymology is coinage and borrowing because people the world over dance and sway to the rhythms of salsa music, there is no other term in any language to describe it. I chose this word because I am a "salsera" in training, in other words, someone who loves and practices dancing salsa. The movement of two bodies dancing salsa as one is an extremely intimate experience to watch and partake in. It is not an easy dance to master, but is well worth taking the time to learn it. I find that a love for any activity, especially something that has become as universal as salsa, can help people forge connections with others they would never encounter.