second banana — ☆ second banana n. Slang 1. a performer in show business, esp. burlesque, who plays a subordinate role, as straight man, to the top banana, or star comedian 2. any person in a subordinate, often servile, position … English World dictionary
Second banana — A second banana is a performer who serves as a comic foil opposing a comedian in a double act.fact|date=June 2008The term derives from burlesque, around 1930,fact|date=June 2008 where the slang term banana referred to a comedian.fact|date=June… … Wikipedia
second banana — noun a) A comedian who plays a secondary or supporting role, especially as straight man and traditionally in vaudeville or burlesque theatre. He grew disenchanted with playing second banana and never getting credit for the laughter. b) A person… … Wiktionary
second banana — in general terms, an actor who plays a subordinate or secondary role; aka second fiddle; in comedies, it refers to a performer who acts as a sidekick, foil or stooge (straight man) to a lead comedian Examples: Dean Martin was a second banana… … Glossary of cinematic terms
second banana — noun Date: 1953 a comedian who plays a supporting role to a top banana; broadly a person in a subservient position … New Collegiate Dictionary
second banana — Informal. 1. a comic who supports the leading comedian, often as a straight man, esp. in burlesque or vaudeville. 2. any person who plays a secondary role or serves in a subsidiary capacity. Cf. top banana. [1950 55] * * * … Universalium
second banana — sec′ond banan′a n. 1) cvb +sbz a comic who supports the leading comedian, esp. in burlesque or vaudeville 2) cvb any person who plays a secondary role Compare top banana • Etymology: 1950–55 … From formal English to slang
banana — 1590s, borrowed by Spanish or Portuguese from a W. African word, possibly Wolof banana. The plant was introduced to the New World from Africa in 1516. Top banana, second banana, etc. are 1950s, from show business slang use of banana for comedian … Etymology dictionary
second — I adj 1. secondary, next after the first; next, following, subsequent, consequent, resultant; alternate, other, every other, the next but one. 2. duplicate, copy, replicate, twin; surrogate, fill in, substitute, double. n 3. subordinate,… … A Note on the Style of the synonym finder
second-in-command — noun while Reade is recuperating, Dunlop will be my second in command Syn: deputy, number two, subordinate, right hand man/woman, second; understudy; informal sidekick, second banana … Thesaurus of popular words
