Did you know that Ballerina is an Italian word? In Italy, male dancers are called "ballerino" (meaning little girl in Italian). In English-speaking countries, however, the word "ballerina" is often used slangily. Read on to learn more interesting facts about Ballerina! Then, find out the origin of the word "ballerina" and why it is so common in the United States. The first ballet performances were performed in Italy in the 15th century at the height of the Renaissance. Today, the biggest expense for ballet dancers is their shoes, with a dancer going through upwards of 120 pairs in a single season. A ballerina's hair bun can take up to four hundred hours to create. And the cost of a ballet tutu can be upwards of $3000. But, it is worth every penny. Dancers need carbohydrates and nutrients to refuel their bodies. They wear pointe shoes for the duration of the performance, and they go through three to five pairs each week. The shoes must be able to support three times the weight of the dancer, so they must have plenty of energy to practice. After a performance, a ballerina will typically eat a large meal. And, if they don't eat, they'll likely fall asleep on the stage. While most Americans believe that ballets originated in America, the dance has its roots in Italy's Renaissance. 'Ballet' comes from the stem word 'ballere', which means 'to dance.' The first known ballets date back to the 15th century. Catherine de Medici introduced ballet to the French court. She later married Henry II, making ballet dances more common in the French courts.