Etymologically
Log in

burlesque

Etymology and origin of the English word burlesque

History Permalink
Formation
Borrowing
Borrowed from
French burlesque

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /bə(ɹ)ˈlɛsk/[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from French burlesque,[2][3][4][5] from Italian burlesco (“ludicrous”),[2][3][4][5] from burla “joke, mockery”,[2][3][5] probably from Spanish burla.[2][3][4] The Spanish word is of uncertain origin, possibly from Late Latin burra (“trifles, nonsense; flock of wool”).[2][4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

As an adjective, “droll, jocular; odd, grotesque” (1656).[6][4][5] The noun, a literary or dramatic composition that raises laughter by caricature, follows in 1667.[6][3][4]

Semantic evolution

By 1700 the adjective had its precise meaning, “mocking by a ludicrous contrast between subject and style”.[5][6] A burlesque could either dress mean persons as heroes or make great persons speak like the lowest.[5][2] By the 1880s the word meant travesties of the classics and vulgar comic opera.[5] In America it was applied to the sketches ending a minstrel show (1857),[6][5] and from 1870 to a variety show, which later came to feature striptease and predominated from the 1920s.[6][4][5]

Timeline

  • 1656 – adjective, droll, odd, grotesque.[6][4]
  • 1667 – a composition ridiculing by caricature.[6][3][4]
  • 1676 – verb, to ridicule by grotesque parody.[6][3][4]
  • a1700 – adjective, derisively imitative, mock-heroic.[6]
  • 1753 – grotesque imitation of something dignified.[6]
  • 1857 – (US) the closing part of a minstrel show.[6]
  • 1870 – (US) a variety show, often with striptease.[6][4]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A literary or dramatic work that ridicules by treating a lofty subject vulgarly or a trivial one with mock dignity.
  2. A ludicrous or mocking imitation; a travesty.
  3. A variety show with broad, bawdy comedy, dancing and striptease.

Verb

  1. To imitate mockingly or humorously; to parody.
  2. To use the methods of burlesque.

Word family

  • burlesquely
  • burlesquer

Usage notes

Random House distinguishes burlesque, caricature, parody and travesty.[7] Burlesque mocks both high and low by associating each with its opposite;[7] caricature exaggerates characteristic details, usually in visual art;[7] parody applies the manner of a well-known writer to unexpected subjects; and travesty is a grotesque kind of burlesque.[7]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Barnhart, Robert K., ed. (1995), The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, New York: HarperCollins
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ a b c d Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Burlesque.” Etymologically, 15 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/burlesque. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·