Burlesque--the Past, the Present, and the Striptease
There are many fascinating words in the English language, all with their unique origins and history. Among such words of interest is the word burlesque. In order to discover the true definition of the world, its etymology, meaning, and history will be examined.
ETYMOLOGY
Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history (Google). According to the Oxford English Dictionary online database, it is said that burlesque comes from the French burlesque and Italian burlesco, which, in turn, is derived from the Italian burla meaning ridicule or mockery. However, the word's origins remain uncertain with other sources suggesting that “[b]urlesque …show more content…
It consistently continued to be defined as something “of the nature of derisive imitation; ironically bombastic, mock-heroic or mock-pathetic; now chiefly said of literary or oratorical compositions and dramatic representations” (OED). There does seem to be a slightly different usage of the word, taken to mean “droll in look, manner or speech; jocular; odd, grotesque,” but declared obsolete by the Oxford dictionary. Yet the word was still used in regards to this definition as late as 1848, by W. K. Kelly (OED). As part of the literary and theatrical genre, burlesque was made to relate to the “intentionally ridiculous” in that it imitated several styles and combined imitations of certain authors and artists with absurd descriptions. In this sense, the term was often used interchangeably with pastiche and parody (Wikipedia). “Burlesque depended on the reader's or listener's knowledge of the subject to make its intended effect, and a high degree of literacy was taken for granted” (Wikipedia). Thus, although the term burlesque has been applied to many different phenomena throughout history, its definition did not vary too dramatically, confined to stand for an instance of mockery of one thing or another whether that be in its application to music, literature, or
There are many fascinating words in the English language, all with their unique origins and history. Among such words of interest is the word burlesque. In order to discover the true definition of the world, its etymology, meaning, and history will be examined.
ETYMOLOGY
Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history (Google). According to the Oxford English Dictionary online database, it is said that burlesque comes from the French burlesque and Italian burlesco, which, in turn, is derived from the Italian burla meaning ridicule or mockery. However, the word's origins remain uncertain with other sources suggesting that “[b]urlesque …show more content…
It consistently continued to be defined as something “of the nature of derisive imitation; ironically bombastic, mock-heroic or mock-pathetic; now chiefly said of literary or oratorical compositions and dramatic representations” (OED). There does seem to be a slightly different usage of the word, taken to mean “droll in look, manner or speech; jocular; odd, grotesque,” but declared obsolete by the Oxford dictionary. Yet the word was still used in regards to this definition as late as 1848, by W. K. Kelly (OED). As part of the literary and theatrical genre, burlesque was made to relate to the “intentionally ridiculous” in that it imitated several styles and combined imitations of certain authors and artists with absurd descriptions. In this sense, the term was often used interchangeably with pastiche and parody (Wikipedia). “Burlesque depended on the reader's or listener's knowledge of the subject to make its intended effect, and a high degree of literacy was taken for granted” (Wikipedia). Thus, although the term burlesque has been applied to many different phenomena throughout history, its definition did not vary too dramatically, confined to stand for an instance of mockery of one thing or another whether that be in its application to music, literature, or