vaudeville

****************************************************************
Attention word gurus:  try WORD SWEEP!, the first board game to feature =
Merriam-Webster definitions! Available at Borders Bookstores.
http://www.wordsweep.com
****************************************************************

The Word of the Day for October 25 is:=20

vaudeville   \VAUD-vil\   noun
          1 : a light often comic theatrical piece frequently combining =
pantomime, dialogue, dancing, and song
    *2 : stage entertainment consisting of various acts (as performing a=
nimals, acrobats, comedians, dancers, or singers)
=20

Example sentence:
          Andrew=E2=80=99s interest in vaudeville can be traced to his g=
randparents, who met as performers in the 1920s.

Did you know?
          In the 15th century, several amusing songs became popular acro=
ss France. These songs were said to have been written by a man named Oli=
vier Basselin who lived in the valley of the river Vire in northwest Fra=
nce. The songs eventually became known as "chansons de vau-de-Vire," mea=
ning "songs of the valley of Vire." Other people began writing and perfo=
rming similar songs, and as this form of entertainment became more wides=
pread, the link to vau-de-Vire was forgotten. The nickname was shortened=
 to one word, "vaudevire." As the phenomenon spread beyond France, furth=
er changes in pronunciation and spelling shifted "vaudevire" into "vaude=
ville." The meaning also broadened to include humorous performances and =
variety shows.





You Are Subscribed As: [email protected]

To unsubscribe, please click here:
http://www.drhinternet.net/mw/u/966408/568f14b4ab4f050b/N181L6

To change your e-mail address or to subscribe to the html
version of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day, featuring audio
pronunciations, please visit:
http://mw.drhinternet.net/sm/wod/changeofaddress.iphtml

(c) 2007 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated

Merriam-Webster, Inc.
47 Federal Street
P.O. Box 281
Springfield, MA 01102