Show business, sometimes shortened to show biz or showbiz (since ca. 1945), is a vernacular term for all aspects of entertainment, especially light entertainment. The word applies to all aspects of the entertainment industry from the business side (including managers, agents, producers and distributors) to the creative element (including artists, performers, writers, musicians and technicians). The term was in common usage throughout the 20th century but the first known use in print dates from 1850. At that time and for several decades it always included an initial the. By the latter part of the century it had acquired a slightly arcane quality associated with the era of variety, but the term is still in active use.<
Famous quotes containing the words show business, show and/or business:
“That’s what show business is—sincere insincerity.”
—Benny Hill (1925–1992)
“Show me a man who lives alone and has a perpetually clean kitchen, and 8 times out of 9 I’ll show you a man with detestable spiritual qualities.”
—Charles Bukowski (b. 1920)
“They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep.”
—Bible: Hebrew Psalms 107:23-24.