Steve -- The question was prompted by the label of Victor 19639, the
Boswell Sisters' first recording made in New Orleans. A listener saw a
picture of the label on YouTube and was puzzled at the sisters being
described as "Comedians." I wanted to provide a better-informed answer than
I could provide singly.

David, thanks for the citation to the book -- and my appreciation to all
for your input.

Rob

On Thu, Jan 28, 2021 at 2:30 PM Steven Smolian <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> As I recall, Miss Patricola was similarly identified. Rob, who else
> prompted this question?
>
> Steve
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto:
> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rob Bamberger
> Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021 1:49 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] What was meant by the use of the words...
>
> I must not have been clear in my initial posting. I do understand the
> gender distinction. The question is why those terms were used to describe
> performers who were not comics, per se.
>
> On Thu, Jan 28, 2021 at 1:40 PM Roy Baugher <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > I think “comedian” is/was used as a male variant of the word, and
> > “comedienne” is/was used as the female variant of the word.
> >
> > Similar to “actor” and “actress”.
> >
> > Etymologists would know better about this subject than me.
> >
> > Roy Baugher
> >
> > On Thu, Jan 28, 2021 at 1:13 PM Rob Bamberger <[log in to unmask]>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > "Comedian" and "Comedienne" as artist designations on record labels
> into
> > > the 1920s? It's a use of these words in a broader context than the
> > > conventional sense. Was it meant simply to identify someone as a
> > "popular"
> > > rather than classical or "serious" artist? Is it meant to be associated
> > > with performers who might be seen in vaudeville or theater who had acts
> > > that combined some comic patter or exchange, followed by song (or
> dance).
> > >
> > > Is there a precise intention that has been written about, or discovered
> > in
> > > primary materials?
> > >
> > > Thanks for your comments.
> > >
> > > Rob
> > >
> > --
> > Sent from Gmail Mobile
> >
>