[ 'vɔ:dəvɪl , 'vəʊd- ]
■ noun
1》 a type of entertainment popular in the early 20th century, featuring a mixture of musical and comedy acts.
↘a light or comic stage play with songs.
2》 archaic a satirical or topical song.
Derivatives
vaudevillian adjective &noun
Word History
The word ~ owes its existence to a 15th-century French composer, Olivier Basselin. He lived in the valley of Vire, in Normandy, and each of his songs was known as a chanson du Vau de Vire , or 'song of the valley of Vire'. This was shortened to vau de vire , which became vau de ville , and eventually ~ . It was adopted into English in the 18th century, when it denoted a satirical or topical song, especially one performed on the stage.