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Where does the word "vaudeville" come from? It comes from French vau de Vire, and was adopted directly into English (1830s).
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Where does the word "vaudeville" come from? It comes from French vau de Vire, and was adopted directly into English (1830s).
Vaudeville’s story begins in French: vau de Vire meant “the valley of the Vire river.” The Vire river valley in Normandy, known for its satirical folk songs. It reached English by 1830s as vaudeville. Broadened from the folk songs to a variety of comic stage entertainment. Today, vaudeville means a theatrical genre of varied comic performances, songs, and novelty acts.
- Stage 1 · French · 1400s vau de Vire "the valley of the Vire river", the Vire river valley in Normandy, known for its satirical folk songs.
- Stage 2 · English · 1830s vaudeville "a variety show of comic songs, dance, and acts", broadened from the folk songs to a variety of comic stage entertainment.