burlesque English · revision 2378

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /bə(ɹ)ˈlɛsk/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|burlesque]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) [[der|it|burlesco|t=ludicrous]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) from ''burla'' “joke, mockery”,^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Etymonline) probably [[der|es|burla]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995) The Spanish word is of uncertain origin, possibly from [[la-lat|burra|t=trifles, nonsense; flock of wool]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As an adjective, “droll, jocular; odd, grotesque” (1656).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) The noun, a literary or dramatic composition that raises laughter by caricature, follows in 1667.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ By 1700 the adjective had its precise meaning, “mocking by a ludicrous contrast between subject and style”.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A burlesque could either dress mean persons as heroes or make great persons speak like the lowest.^(Etymonline)^(AHD) By the 1880s the word meant travesties of the classics and vulgar comic opera.^(Etymonline) In America it was applied to the sketches ending a minstrel show (1857),^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and from 1870 to a variety show, which later came to feature striptease and predominated from the 1920s.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1656 – adjective, droll, odd, grotesque.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1667 – a composition ridiculing by caricature.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1676 – verb, to ridicule by grotesque parody.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * a1700 – adjective, derisively imitative, mock-heroic.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1753 – grotesque imitation of something dignified.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1857 – ''(US)'' the closing part of a minstrel show.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1870 – ''(US)'' a variety show, often with striptease.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A literary or dramatic work that ridicules by treating a lofty subject vulgarly or a trivial one with mock dignity.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A ludicrous or mocking imitation; a travesty.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A variety show with broad, bawdy comedy, dancing and striptease.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To imitate mockingly or humorously; to parody.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To use the methods of burlesque.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[burlesquely]]

+ * [[burlesquer]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[parody]]

+ * [[travesty]]

+ * [[caricature]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

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

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}