top of the billn.adj.

Brit.

/ˌtɒp ə(v) ðə ˈbɪl/, U.S.

/ˌtɑp ə(v) ðə ˈbɪl/

Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: top n.¹, of prep., the adj., bill n.³

Etymology: < top n.¹ + of prep. + the adj. + bill n.³

A. n.

The most prominent position on a bill of entertainment for a theatre, cinema, etc.; (hence) the chief place in a particular show, series of events, etc., reserved for the most popular or prestigious act or performer; (also) the act or performer having this position. Also in extended use.Cf. to top the bill at top v.¹ Phrases 3a.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important > most important > place

capital1786

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > [noun] > a performance > item in > bill of items > chief place on

top line1906

star billing1910

festival headliner1927

top billing1968

1837 Figaro in London 3 June 87/2 Covent Garden is going it with the benefits, and each night there figures, at the top of the bill, the name of some illustrious obscure, who has no farther claim upon the public, than his impudence in braving it.

1896 Eastern State Jrnl. (White Plains, N.Y.) 23 May The Four Richards, whose acrobatic work in ‘The Brownies’, has been a hit, shared the top of the bill with Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew.

1904 H. B. Baker London Stage 332 In 1884 we find the names of John Hollingshead and J. L. Shine at the top of the bill; but a year later Charles Hawtrey took their place with The Private Secretary.

1933 P. Godfrey Back-stage xviii. 222 The London theatre queues provide a great variety of performances. At the top of the bill are a few well-organized teams of strolling players.

2004 News of World (Nexis) 1 Feb. The three Butlins Resorts..all have an exotic array of excitement and adventures that will thrill the whole family. And top of the bill for me are their sub-tropically heated Splash Waterworlds.

2013 Daily Tel. 29 Mar. 8/2 The Rolling Stones are to be top of the bill at the rock festival this summer.

B. adj.

Chiefly with hyphens. Designating a performer or act appearing in the most prominent place in a particular show, series of events, etc.; (also) designating this position. Also in extended use.

ΚΠ

1898 Era 15 Jan. 26/2 (advt.) Two top of the bill turns, without equal.

1909 Fort Wayne (Indiana) Sentinel 15 Sept. 3/3 The top of the bill act is Joe Jordan's Pekin Graduates.

1935 Evening Tel. & Post (Dundee) 28 May 10/1 A host of top-of-the bill artistes.

1997 Scotsman (Nexis) 2 Jan. 22 Tottenham, for so long one of England's top-of-the-bill football acts, are now just another Premiership team.

2010 M. Clayton & T. Hill Photographic Hist. Beatles ii. 30/1 The Sullivan Show wanted the Beatles as a novelty support act; Epstein wanted a top-of-the-bill slot.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2022).

单词	top of the bill
释义	top of the billn.adj. Brit. /ˌtɒp ə(v) ðə ˈbɪl/, U.S. /ˌtɑp ə(v) ðə ˈbɪl/ Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: top n.¹, of prep., the adj., bill n.³ Etymology: < top n.¹ + of prep. + the adj. + bill n.³ A. n. The most prominent position on a bill of entertainment for a theatre, cinema, etc.; (hence) the chief place in a particular show, series of events, etc., reserved for the most popular or prestigious act or performer; (also) the act or performer having this position. Also in extended use.Cf. to top the bill at top v.¹ Phrases 3a. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important > most important > place capital1786 society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > [noun] > a performance > item in > bill of items > chief place on top line1906 star billing1910 festival headliner1927 top billing1968 1837 Figaro in London 3 June 87/2 Covent Garden is going it with the benefits, and each night there figures, at the top of the bill, the name of some illustrious obscure, who has no farther claim upon the public, than his impudence in braving it. 1896 Eastern State Jrnl. (White Plains, N.Y.) 23 May The Four Richards, whose acrobatic work in ‘The Brownies’, has been a hit, shared the top of the bill with Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew. 1904 H. B. Baker London Stage 332 In 1884 we find the names of John Hollingshead and J. L. Shine at the top of the bill; but a year later Charles Hawtrey took their place with The Private Secretary. 1933 P. Godfrey Back-stage xviii. 222 The London theatre queues provide a great variety of performances. At the top of the bill are a few well-organized teams of strolling players. 2004 News of World (Nexis) 1 Feb. The three Butlins Resorts..all have an exotic array of excitement and adventures that will thrill the whole family. And top of the bill for me are their sub-tropically heated Splash Waterworlds. 2013 Daily Tel. 29 Mar. 8/2 The Rolling Stones are to be top of the bill at the rock festival this summer. B. adj. Chiefly with hyphens. Designating a performer or act appearing in the most prominent place in a particular show, series of events, etc.; (also) designating this position. Also in extended use. ΚΠ 1898 Era 15 Jan. 26/2 (advt.) Two top of the bill turns, without equal. 1909 Fort Wayne (Indiana) Sentinel 15 Sept. 3/3 The top of the bill act is Joe Jordan's Pekin Graduates. 1935 Evening Tel. & Post (Dundee) 28 May 10/1 A host of top-of-the bill artistes. 1997 Scotsman (Nexis) 2 Jan. 22 Tottenham, for so long one of England's top-of-the-bill football acts, are now just another Premiership team. 2010 M. Clayton & T. Hill Photographic Hist. Beatles ii. 30/1 The Sullivan Show wanted the Beatles as a novelty support act; Epstein wanted a top-of-the-bill slot. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2022). < n.adj.1837
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