E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Ringleader.
The person who opens a ball or leads off a dance (see Hollyband’s Dictionary, 1593). The dance referred to was commenced by the party taking hands round in a ring, instead of in two lines as in the country dance. The leader in both cases has to set the figures. One who organises and leads a party.
