second banana
noun
,
Informal.
1.
a comic who supports the leading comedian, often as a straight man, especially in burlesque or vaudeville.
2.
any person who plays a secondary role or serves in a subsidiary capacity.
Compare
top banana
.
Origin
1950-55
Examples from the web for
second banana
To hear him tell it, there had never been a happier
second banana
.
Slang definitions & phrases for
second banana
second banana
noun phrase
A supporting comedian
: Who was second banana, Laurel or Hardy?
(1940s+ Show business)
Related Terms
top banana
Idioms and Phrases with
second banana
second banana
see under
top banana