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second banana

 - 3 dictionary results

second banana

–noun 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.
Compare top banana.


Origin:
1950–55
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To second banana
second banana  
n.   Slang
  1. One, such as an assistant or deputy, who is subordinate to another.

  2. One who serves as the straight man opposite the leading comedian in a burlesque.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

second banana

see under top banana.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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