Discussion»Questions»Celebrities» What would be the hardest part for you if you had to be a stand-up comedian. And how come commedienne is such a weird spelling?
Because the correct spelling is Comedienne (only one 'm') ;-)) The word is borrowed from French, spelled a French speakers pronounce it.
Up until the late middle ages all actors in any theater were male. sometimes with makeup and padding to make them look female if the play specified a female character. France was one of the first countries to break that taboo and allow female actors on stage. No doubt accomanied by the usual cries of "Such immorality spells the end of the world" from the moral multitude.