The origin of the term stand-up comedy update

Double, Oliver (2018) The origin of the term stand-up comedy update. Comedy Studies, 9 (2). pp. 235-237. ISSN 2040-610X. (doi:10.1080/2040610X.2018.1428427) (KAR id:66675)

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Abstract

This article discusses a possible first usage of the term ‘stand-up comedian’, used in a column in the Yorkshire Evening Post from November 1917 to describe a performer called Finlay Dunn. This is significantly earlier than the previously identified first usage in a Variety review from 1948. This article discusses Dunn’s career in order to conjecture that that the term may have been in use significantly earlier even than 1917.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1080/2040610X.2018.1428427
Uncontrolled keywords:	Stand-up comedian; stand-up comic; stand-up comedy; word origins; Finlay Dunn
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN1600 Drama P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN1969.C65 Comedy acts. Stand-up comedy
Institutional Unit:	Schools > School of Arts and Architecture > Arts
Former Institutional Unit:	Divisions > Division of Arts and Humanities > School of Arts
Depositing User:	Oliver Double
Date Deposited:	10 Apr 2018 09:05 UTC
Last Modified:	20 May 2025 08:30 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/66675 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Double, Oliver.

Creator's ORCID:	https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2398-6661
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