show Italian · revision 38698

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1954, Epoca}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''show''' ''m'' (invariable, or plural ''shows'')^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|en|show]], a noun recorded in English from 1561 in the sense “display, exhibition”, from the verb [[m|en|show|t=to show]], of Germanic origin.^(DELI 1999)^(GRADIT 2003)^(Nocentini 2010)^(GDLI) Italian took it with the sense “entertainment, spectacle”, and with it a series of English compounds: [[showgirl]] (1926), [[showman]] (1957), [[showdown]] (1921) and “show room” (1979).^(Nocentini 2010)^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ DELI's first record is in the weekly ''Epoca'' of 3 January 1954, for a variety show, light entertainment on television or the stage.^(DELI 1999)^(GRADIT 2003)^(GDLI)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Italian it names above all a television programme built around a comedian, a singer or a presenter with a strong personality, who introduces the other acts and takes part in them.^(GRADIT 2003)^(GDLI) It was soon used more loosely for any spectacle, and for a performer's act on stage.^(GDLI)^(GRADIT 2003) Colloquially it also means making a spectacle of oneself, as when a political meeting turns into a show, often with irony.^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Treccani 2011) Phrases such as ''show business'', ''talent show'' and ''road show'' came from English too.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1561 – English ''show'' “display” is recorded.^(DELI 1999)^(GRADIT 2003)

+ * 1921 – Italian ''showdown'' is recorded.^(Nocentini 2010)

+ * 1926 – ''Showgirl'' is recorded.^(Nocentini 2010)

+ * 1954 – ''Show'' appears in ''Epoca''.^(DELI 1999)^(GRADIT 2003)

+ * 1957 – ''Showman'' is recorded.^(Nocentini 2010)

+ * 1979 – ''Show room'' is recorded.^(Nocentini 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|variety show]], especially on television, built around a star performer or presenter: ''Lo show del sabato sera ha battuto ogni record.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # The [[m|en|performance]] of an actor or a singer: ''Il suo show al teatro è durato tre ore.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(colloquial, often ironic)'' A scene in which someone puts themselves at the centre of attention, or makes a spectacle of themselves: ''Basta con questi show!''^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # ''(sport)'' An acrobatic exhibition, especially in water skiing.^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[showgirl]]

+ * [[showman]]

+ * [[showdown]]

+ * [[show business]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Italian the word is pronounced /ʃo/, or /ˈʃou/, closer to English.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026) It is masculine and usually invariable, though the English plural ''shows'' is also used.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Treccani 2011)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}