The people Austen was writing about never encountered it.

Well now, there is an organisation called the Jane Austen Dancers of Bath who dance Playfordish, often in costume of the Jane Austen era see the video. The inference must be, Jane Austen knew and danced such polite social dances, especially in Bath. Quite complex when it gets into triple minors. And none of yer rumbustuousness - the essence is on flowing and grace. I have even been at a workshop with the doyen of advisers to the film industry on the dances of the era.

Rigadoon anyone? Or is it rigadon?