Top-banana meaning
The main comic in a burlesque show.
noun
The head person, as of a group or project.
noun
A top performer in show business; specif., the star comedian in a burlesque show.
noun
The most important person in any group.
noun
He was hilarious, and remained the top banana on the tour for years.
noun
Origin of top-banana
- So called from the presentation of a banana to the comedian who has the punch line in a three-person burlesque routine
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition