< Back to Phrase of the Day

Top Banana


The 'Top Banana' is the leading person, the most powerful or important person in the group or organization.

Example of use: "Everybody agrees that Misha is the top banana in the office." 


Interesting fact about Top Banana

The phrase originated in the burlesque theater, from a very popular comedy skit in which the leading comedian was given a banana after delivering the punch line. The act and joke were so widely known that the term was coined to refer to the headliner, the person in the top position.