Where did the saying, "not until the fat lady sings," come from?

Question

has anyone ever heard that before? or am i just crazy?

Answer 1

Ralph Graves claims in the August 1991 issue of the Smithsonian - the journal of the Smithsonian Institution - that the phrase had its roots in Southern proverbial lore, 'Church ain't out till the fat lady sings.'

Answer 2

Because back in the day, in the Operatic Theater, the biggest voice was usually found in the biggest woman. And since that kind of "power" was desirable to end the show with, she (the fat lady) was the last introduced on stage, right near the end of the performance. Hence, when the fat had sung, the show was over. BUT! not until then.

Answer 3

In an Opera the loudest and biggest voice is usualy heard last. So wen they say the show isnt over till the fat lady sings they are talkin bout the Coda.

Answer 4

Some versions of this modern American proverb do refer to opera, so many performances of which seem to end with a set-piece aria by a well-built soprano, but its recorded appearances are mainly connected with sport, so much so that some people are sure that is its true origin.

Commentators do often say the phrase to remind people that it’s the final result that matters, often in a spirit of reassurance to the supporters of the losing team. It has been suggested that it was the brainchild of the San Antonio TV sports editor Dan Cook, who famously used it during a televised basketball game in May 1978. It’s probably not one of Yogi Berra’s phrases, though it has the same sense and much of the style of his “It ain’t over till it’s over”.

Answer 5

"It's not over untill the fat lady sings" refers to Opras because there would always be an overweight women singing at the end.

Answer 6

I always thought it referred to opear, particularly Wagner's, the stereotype beingt that all of his operas reach their dramatic peak when the fat lady (in a helmet with horns) sings.