Peanut gallery
A peanut gallery was, in the days of vaudeville, a nickname for the cheapest (and ostensibly rowdiest) seats in the theater, the occupants of which were all too willing (in the view of the performer) to heckle.[1]
The least expensive snack served at the theater would often be peanuts, which the patrons would sometimes throw at the performers on stage to show their disapproval. The phrases "no comments from the peanut gallery" or "quiet in the peanut gallery" are extensions of the name, meaning the "great unwashed" should defer to their betters.[1]
In the late 1940s the Howdy Doody children's television show adopted the name to represent its audience of children.[2]
In culture
In recent times, the term has taken on new meanings with the advent of social networks and online chat rooms. "Peanut gallery" may also refer to a social network audience that passively observes a syndicated web feed or chat room.[citation needed]
A similar term was introduced to Brazilian football by coach Luis Felipe Scolari. He called Palmeiras' complaining audience that sat in the closest seats "Turma do Amendoim" ("peanut gang").[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b Rowland, Ian (1999). "What's the origin of the expression "peanut gallery"?". The Straight Dope. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Smith, Andrew F. (2002). Peanuts: The Illustrious History of the Goober Pea. University of Illinois Press. p. 129. ISBN 9780252025532.
- ^ "Felipão criou o apelido "Turma do Amendoim" no Palmeiras; leia trecho". Folha de S. Paulo (in Portuguese). Folha Online. 9 November 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
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