second bananas
Not the leads
Second bananas are supporting performers or subordinates—people who play backup to the star or leader.
The term comes from vaudeville and comedy, where the "top banana" got the best jokes while the second banana fed them lines.
Now it applies broadly: He was tired of being second banana to his older brother.
The plural form is standard; singular "second banana" works the same way.
- sidekickSubordinate adventure partner
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- subordinateOne lower in rank
- back seatVehicle's second row
- deputyAuthorized substitute or assistant
understudy · shadow · aides · wingman · partner · assistant · helpers · yes man · Robin · foil · vice president · junior partner · stunt double · comic relief · co-star · Ed McMahon · supporting actor · straight man
second bananasstars
Luminous celestial bodies
leads · headliners · protagonists · top bananas · main characters
second bananasprima donnas
Vain, demanding people
divas · showboats · center of attention · household names · superstars
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