banana peel

Yellow fruit skin

A banana peel is the thick outer skin of a banana, typically yellow when ripe and discarded after eating the fruit inside.

Stepping on a banana peel has long been a comedy staple, representing an unexpected slip or fall, which gives the phrase figurative meaning: any unforeseen obstacle that causes someone to stumble or fail.

The scandal was a banana peel that ended his political career.

comedy

slapstick

Exaggerated physical humor

  • pratfallComedic fall on buttocks
  • slipMinor error or misstep
  • gagMouth restraint or jest

cartoon · vaudeville · buffoonery · clowning · shtick · pantomime · sight gag · Mario Kart · sketch · farce

hazard

slippery

Lacking friction, hard-to-grasp

  • slipMinor error or misstep
  • tripPlanned travel somewhere
  • fallDescend under gravity

treacherous · dangerous · unsafe · hazardous · accident · liability · sidewalk · warning · caution · perilous

compost

biodegradable

Able to decompose naturally

waste · trash · garbage · discard · leftovers · landfill · worm bin · fertilizer · rot · mulch

Categories
Opposites
protective covering vs. protected content

banana peelkernel

Seed or essential core

pit · seed

hazard vs. safety (comedic/practical)

banana peelnon-slip mat

Surface that prevents sliding

grip tape · rubber mat · stable footing · sure footing

edibility/utility

banana peelfruit pulp

Soft edible interior

Family

peel, bananas, peeling, banana, peeled, peeler, peels, unpeeled, banana peels

Familiarity
Top 20,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G