noun · rare

peanut gallery

peanut gallery · peanut galleries

диванный эксперт

In the nineteenth century, the cheap seats at the back of a theatre or in the upper…In the nineteenth century, the cheap seats at the back of a theatre or in the upper balcony.

» Could you kindly desist from throwing peanuts from the gallery?

Ви не могли б, будь ласка, припинити кидати арахіс з галереї?

Meaning

3 senses

(historical)In the nineteenth century, the cheap seats at the back of a theatre or in the upper balcony.
(historical)The upper balcony to which black patrons were restricted in racially segregated venues such as theatres.
(both of which are dated and offensive)
(idiomatic)Any source of heckling, unwelcome commentary or criticism, especially from a know-it-all or of an inexpert nature. May also now refer to general audience response: "Let's hear it from the peanut gallery."
Enough already from the peanut gallery; if you think you can do a better job, go right ahead.
галёркаgaljórka, дива́нный экспе́ртdivánnyj ekspért

More definitions

(figurative) people whose criticisms are regarded as irrelevant or insignificant (resembling uneducated people who throw peanuts on the stage to express displeasure with a performance)
rearmost or uppermost area in the balcony containing the least expensive seats

Examples

1 sentences

Could you kindly desist from throwing peanuts from the gallery?
Ви не могли б, будь ласка, припинити кидати арахіс з галереї?
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Translations

1 languages

Русский

By meaning 1

any source of heckling, unwelcome commentary or criticism:

Origin

The phrase comes from nineteenth-century vaudeville theatres and refers to the cheap seats

The phrase comes from nineteenth-century vaudeville theatres and refers to the cheap seats at the back of the theatre or in the upper balcony. It came to be applied to other venues as well, referring to the section where less-educated or less-seriously-interested patrons sat. The "peanut" comes from the popularity of that cheap snack in those sections, and the possibility that patrons might throw peanuts at the stage if displeased.

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