Buzz
Applause is so deeply ingrained in our culture that clapping has become an almost automatic action. However, choosing to keep clapping—and occasionally standing while doing so—carries significant intent. But when did the standing ovation first emerge?
Like many cultural practices, the standing ovation traces its roots back to Ancient Rome. Though today it is considered one of the highest forms of praise, in Roman times, it ranked just below the grandest of ceremonies. This ritual, known as a “triumph,” was reserved for commanders who had led the Roman military to extraordinary victories.
By contrast, an ovation, which comes from the Latin word for 'I rejoice,' is still a notable honor, though a step down from a triumph: 'A ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a victory of lesser importance than that for which a triumph was granted.'
Skip ahead a few centuries, and standing ovations are now firmly entrenched in modern culture. In a 2003 op-ed for The New York Times, Jesse McKinley proposed that the association between standing ovations and theater began around the 17th century, though many historians trace it to the post-World War II era. There is even a (wonderfully named) theory to back up this idea.
McKinley cites American music scholar Ethan Mordden's 'Big Lady Theory.' According to Mordden, musicals in the 1950s—such as My Fair Lady—left little time for the cast to bow at the curtain call. However, as musicals started to feature a standout performer—like Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly!—the shows were arranged to allow a longer bow.
'The entire curtain call is constructed to build to a climax,' said Mordden. 'The ensemble bows and sings. The male leads bow, followed by supporting women, and everything keeps building. Finally, when all eyes are on her, the star appears in her 37th Bob Mackie gown of the night. By then, you have no choice but to stand and applaud.'
Standing ovations have become so deeply rooted in our culture that some are given extra recognition. A prime example is Charlie Chaplin, who received an Honorary Award at the 1972 Oscars. As Harper’s Bazaar reports, Chaplin’s 12-minute standing ovation remains the longest in the history of the awards ceremony.
Standing ovations are also common in sports. One of the longest reported ovations in athletic history occurred for Cal Ripken, Jr. On September 6, 1995, Ripken broke the record for the most consecutive games played in Major League Baseball, and the crowd stood and cheered for 22 minutes to salute him. Despite the overwhelming recognition, Ripken stayed humble about the applause.
'It went on for an incredibly long time,' he shared with Baltimore Magazine in a 2015 interview. 'I felt embarrassed because you can’t just halt a game. Pitchers are warming up, and players are in their rhythm. So I was thinking, ‘I’ll celebrate afterward as much as you want, but let’s get this game moving.’'
