Vaudeville

vod'vil, originally a country ballad or song. The term is French, referring to the "vau," or valley of the river Vire in Normandy. Many popular country songs originated here about the close of the fourteenth century. They became known as vaudeville. Writers of comedy learned to use these light, gay songs to break up a play. In this way comic opera, in which singing and dancing form a prominent part, has come to be known as vaudeville. The term is applied with perfect propriety to any light, entertaining comedy, and has no necessary connection whatever with evil associations. See Comedy