What does vaudevillian mean?
A vaudevillian is a performer who specializes in vaudeville, a type of variety entertainment that originated in France and became popular in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Vaudeville performances typically featured a mix of comedy, music, dance, and drama, and vaudevillians were skilled in multiple areas. The term can also be used to describe a style of entertainment that is characterized by its lighthearted, comedic, and entertaining nature. Vaudevillians are often associated with the golden age of American vaudeville, which saw the rise of famous performers such as Charlie Chaplin and the Marx Brothers. Today, the term 'vaudevillian' is used to describe both performers who work in the tradition of vaudeville and those who incorporate elements of vaudeville into their work.
A performer of vaudeville
"The vaudevillian's act included a magic trick and a comedic monologue."
Having a vaudevillian quality or style
"The film's vaudevillian style was characterized by its use of music and dance."
The plural form 'vaudevillians' is used to describe multiple performers of vaudeville.
"The troupe of vaudevillians traveled from town to town, performing their act for audiences everywhere."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vaudevillian
The term 'vaudevillian' is derived from 'vaudeville', a type of variety entertainment that originated in France in the 17th century. The word 'vaudeville' is thought to be derived from the French phrase 'vau de Vire', which referred to a valley in Normandy where a type of folk song was popular. Over time, the term 'vaudeville' came to describe a type of entertainment that featured a mix of music, comedy, and drama. The term 'vaudevillian' emerged in the late 19th century to describe performers who worked in this tradition.
How vaudevillian is actually used
The term 'vaudevillian' can be used to describe both a performer of vaudeville and a style of entertainment that is reminiscent of vaudeville.