A Tough Act to Follow - Theatre Etymology - Part 40

If somebody hears the phrase "a tough act to follow," the first thing that might come to mind these days is the song from the 2006 musical Curtains. The name of the song comes from the way the original phrase is used. Others may know this usage because it has moved from being only used in the theatre to being used in every day life.

The phrase dates from around 1900 and originated with vaudeville. It was said to mean that a performance or an individual was outstanding. It expresses that there was difficulty in finding favor with an audience because the previous act was successful. Other definitions, though similar, were applied around that time and later. Here are some of them.

• A difficult standard for other to equal or beat because of a previous achievement or performance.
• Someone or something difficult to emulate because he, she, or it is outstanding.
• Someone or something so successful that it is difficult for anybody and or anything following to be as good.
• Something or somebody so good that the performance overshadows everything that follows.

The word tough come from the Middle English or the Old English word tōh. This is descended from the Dutch word taai and the German word zäh(e). The word act comes from the Middle English word act(e)which comes from the Middle French word that is spelled in the same way which comes from the Latin word ācta, the plural of āctum meaning something done. This Latin word is a noun use of past participle of the word agere meaning to do. It comes directly from the Latin word āctus meaning a doing.

Follow comes from the Middle English word folwen or the Old English word folgian. These are descended from the Old Saxon word folgon, the Old High German word folgēn or folgōn, and the German word folgen. The phrase can also be "a hard act to follow. The word hard comes from the Middle English word or Old English word heard. These are descended from the Dutch word hard, the German word hart, the Old Norse word harthr, and the Gothic word hardus. They are akin to the Greek word kratýs meaning strong and the Ionic word kártos meaning strength.

The phrase has come into usage for titles of books, television episodes, and articles in newspaper and magazines as well as online. It has even become a trope in many types of media. It is said that Peanuts and Calvin and Hobbes are tough acts to follow in comics. You can listen to the song from the musical Curtains below:

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