fabulous invalid

English

Etymology

In reference to The Fabulous Invalid, a 1938 stage play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart that follows the oscillating fortunes of a fictitious Broadway theater between 1900 and 1930.

Proper noun

the fabulous invalid

1. The theater; stage productions generally.
   • 1950, Billboard, volume 62, number 3, page 50:

     It hopes others will join in the financial medication of the fabulous invalid.

   • 1993, Clive Barker, Simon Trussler, New Theatre Quarterly 32 (volume 8, part 4, page 313)

     Here, he continues to trace the long decline of the 'fabulous invalid' through the season of 1991-92 — a season overshadowed by the death of Joe Papp, […]