play in Peoria

The idiomatic sense is reported to have originated in vaudeville performances in the early 1900s.[1]

play in Peoria (third-person singular simple present plays in Peoria, present participle playing in Peoria, simple past and past participle played in Peoria)

1. (chiefly US, idiomatic) To receive widespread acceptance among members of the general American public.
   • 1977, Institute for World Order, World Food/Hunger Studies, →ISBN, page 9:

     We must constantly ask ourselves whether our analysis will play in Peoria.

   • 1990 November 19, William Safire, “Essay: Not Oil Nor Jobs”, in New York Times, retrieved 11 October 2016:

     Mr. Baker persuaded his boss that this pocketbook explanation of war aims, despite its negative reception with opinion leaders, would play in Peoria.

   • 2002 April 29, Dody Tsiantar, “Adieu to the Muumuu”, in Time, retrieved 11 October 2016:

     Will black-lace-trimmed purple panties play in Peoria? Why not? Cool is the common denominator of teens everywhere.

   • 2016 January 15, Peter Roff, “Cruz-ified”, in U.S. News, retrieved 11 October 2016:

     Cruz was not speaking of Jews. . . . He was talking about liberals and liberalism of the kind that never, ever plays in Peoria.

• Usually found in the expression "Will it play in Peoria?"