second banana

second banana

n. Slang

1.

a. A person who supports or is subordinate to another.

b. A person who is lesser in status or importance: "It became how he defined himself—the second banana, the second tier, the good but not great" (Douglas Perry).

2. A comedian who plays a supporting role to the leading comedian, especially as a straight man.

3. Something that is ranked second in comparison to something that is ranked first: "New York may be second banana to Los Angeles when it comes to the film and television industry, but the city's supporting role is larger than New York officials had realized" (Terry Pristin).

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

sec′ond banan′a

n.

1. a comic who supports the leading comedian, esp. in burlesque or vaudeville.

2. any person who plays a secondary role. Compare top banana.

[1950–55]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	second banana - a performer who acts as stooge to a comedian straight man performer, performing artist - an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience
	2.	second banana - someone who serves in a subordinate capacity or plays a secondary role second fiddle subordinate, subsidiary, underling, foot soldier - an assistant subject to the authority or control of another

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.