showtime
UK[ˈʃəʊtaɪm]US[ˈʃoʊtaɪm]
n
The time at which a performance, such as a play, movie, or television program, is scheduled to begin.
n
The period during which a show is being presented; the time for entertainment or spectacle.
Morpheme Breakdown
show
time
show
display
time
period
Etymology
The compound noun 'showtime' is a modern American English formation, directly combining two ancient Germanic roots. The first element, 'show', originates from the Old English verb 'scēawian', meaning to look at or inspect, which evolved to denote a public exhibition or spectacle. The second element, 'time', derives from Old English 'tīma', referring to a period or season. The logic of the compound is transparently literal: it denotes the specific period designated for a spectacle to be viewed. While both components have deep Proto-Indo-European origins (e.g., 'time' is linked to the PIE root dā- meaning 'to divide'), the word itself is a 20th-century creation that reflects the scheduling culture of the entertainment industry, transforming the abstract concept of a viewing period into a branded announcement for the commencement of entertainment.
Analysis
Structure: show (display) + time (period)
- show: From Old English scēawian (to look at, see, gaze upon), of Germanic origin. Its functional role is the core concept of a spectacle or performance.
- time: From Old English tīma (a limited space of time, season), of Germanic origin. Its functional role is to specify the temporal aspect of the event.
Examples
The audience settled into their seats as the lights dimmed for showtime.
Showtime for the concert is at 8 PM sharp, so please arrive early.
With the final preparations complete, the director announced, "It's showtime!"