Buck dancing is rooted in Scottish and English clog dancing which was brought to the Appalachian mountains in the 18th century. Traditional clogging is a step dance that involves wearing shoes with taps, or complete wooden soles, that make a loud percussive sound. The basic step is a double toe shuffle, where the dancer brushes their toe and then heel forward, shifts their weight, rocks onto the other foot, and then steps back.
Buck dancing blossomed in Appalachia when settlers blended clogging with Native American and African American dance forms. It’s similar to clogging, but the feet stay closer to the ground and the dancer’s arms hang loosely at their sides. Buck dancing is also much more lively and loud than its cousin from the old country. It’s a wonderful example of Gaelic tradition evolving and taking on new fresh forms.
Source: USA Kilts