Spoken film and television: What does "banana on the top of your head" mean?

What does "top banana" mean in spoken English?

Literally: the banana on your head

Correct meaning: first.

Oral explanation

Top banana refers to big bosses, leaders and people in power.

It turns out that as early as 100 years ago, when there was no film and television in the United States, there were stage performances, including pop music, dance and jokes (similar to cross talk? Or, talk show? )。 Sometimes people give a joke-telling actor a banana after he tells a joke. Gradually, people call the funniest actor the top banana.

Nowadays, people will still call "people who perform farce on TV" top banana, but more often you can see this sentence when you mention important people and top figures in political and economic circles.

Another phrase with similar meaning, top brass and top banana, has similar meaning, but is more respectful; Relatively speaking, top banana is more casual and colloquial.

Movie and TV examples

Source: Superman's New Adventure Season 1 1

Synopsis: Clark finally comes to the Daily Planet. Perry, the editor-in-chief, immediately sent him to Lois to report. The strong Lois is extremely distressed at the thought that a chief reporter will bring a new rural person! So he immediately made rules for him. ...

Line segment

Lois: Let's go.

Clark: Do you mind if I ask where we are going?

Lois: Interview with Samuel Pratt. He was convinced that the messenger had been sabotaged. I will report to you on the way. Let's get this straight. I worked hard to become an investigative reporter for the Daily Planet, not to look after a nobody temporarily. One more thing. You don't work with me, you work for me; I give orders; I ask questions; You are so mean. I am a top banana-this is the way I like it. Do you understand?

Clark: You like being on top. I see.

Lois: Don't push me, Kent. You are far beyond your ability.

Line translation

Louise: I'm leaving.

Clark: May I ask where we are going?

Louise: Interview Samuel Pratt. He said the transmitter was destroyed. I'll talk to you on the way. By the way, let's be clear first. I work hard here to be the chief reporter of the daily planet, not to look after the bumpkin in some town. Also, if you don't cooperate with me, you work for me, I take the initiative, I ask questions during the interview, as long as you help me, I am the first. This is the way I like it. You got it?

Clark: You like it there. Roger that.

Louise: Don't push me, Kent. You are far from it.