end-of-the-pier show
- noun
- /ˈɛnd əv ðə pɪə ʃoʊ/
- UK
- The end-of-the-pier show featured a comedian, a juggler, and live music, entertaining families on their summer vacation.
Examples
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I've never done an end of the pier show before.
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Children giggled as they watched the colorful end-of-the-pier show, which included clowns and funny skits.
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Every summer, the local theatre hosts an end-of-the-pier show that brings joy and laughter to the seaside visitors.
Synonyms
21
9.5
A live show with many short acts like songs and comedy
17
4.2
A small show at a fair or circus beside the main event
16
8.6
A stage show of short songs, dances and comedy sketches that often makes fun of current events
5
4.2
Live music, dance, or comedy acts in clubs and restaurants
3
5.1
A live show with short songs, sketches, and dance acts
How Lighthearted
Surface Forms
Morphology
end-of-the-pier + show
A B1 learner who knows 'end', 'pier' and 'show' can readily infer this refers to a performance taking place at the end of a pier, so the basic locative/compositional meaning is clear. However, the phrase also denotes a specific British seaside variety genre (light, comedic entertainment) — a cultural, genre-specific nuance not fully predictable from the constituents, so it is only partially transparent.
Etymology
The name end-of-the-pier show comes from small stages placed at the very end of a seaside pier, where performers did simple, funny acts for holiday crowds. That's why the name now means a light, popular 'show' with songs and jokes.