Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. in theatre, ‘straight’ dramatic productions rather than variety, etc.

[1880		Bulletin (Sydney) 13 Nov. 9/1: The friends of the ‘legitimate’ will be regret to hear that Herr Baudmann is slightly indisposed].
1900		Pacific Mthly 3 37/2: I really think I'll have to go into the Variety myself, the days of the Legit. seem to be in the sear and yellow.
1908		Sporting Times 29 Feb. 3/5: I am true to the ‘legit,’ / ’Gainst ‘turns’ I’ve ever raged.
1914		Day Book (Chicago) 3 Apr. 2: Like many other ‘movie’ stars she deserted the ‘legit’ to face the ‘movie’ camera.
1916		C. Aiken ‘Apollo Trio’ Turns and Moves 3: From acting profile parts in the ‘legit,’ / He came to this.
1929		J.B. Priestley Good Companions 253: A lot of experience. C.P. work, halls, panto, low comedy in legit., know it all.
1930		J.P. McEvoy Hollywood Girl 15: I told him I was off the legit for a while.
1951		Green & Laurie Show Biz from Vaude to Video 183: The era was saddened by the death of some of the legit’s best loved figures.
1955		K. Williams Diaries 3 Jan. 107: He said I was wasting my time in legit and should go into variety.

2. an actor who works in sense 1.

1899		Ade Fables in Sl. (1902) 90: The Manager put them in between the Trained Ponies and a Legit with a Bad Cold. When a Legit loses his Voice he goes into Vodeville.
1905		H. Green Actors’ Boarding House (1906) 51: Glowering upon the hated legits, Vivian and Pete took their seats.
1908		Sporting Times 22 Feb. 1/5: [He’s] twistin’ all the legit’s into vaudeville. [Ibid.] 185: Them legits ought to be kep’ out of the business. They crab a good comedy act.
1951		Green & Laurie Show Biz from Vaude to Video 571: Shubert Alley – private street off Broadway [...] where legits congregate.

3. (UK/US Und.) a legitimate employment, occupation or person.

1908		N.Y. Eve. Journal 25 Apr. in Fleming Unforgettable Season (1981) 53: He had no possible chance of stopping the ball as a legit [i.e. in a normal manner].
1928		M.C. Sharpe Chicago May (1929) 82: He was a legit, but he did like to show off that he was such a rounder.
1933		C.W. Willemse Cop Remembers 324: The [ex-convict] is in good health today and as we say in police parlance, is living on the legit.
1940s		G. Marx letter in Groucho Letters (1967) 150: A legit who played with Booth and Barrett.
1958		Murtagh & Harris Cast the First Stone 16: The hotel guys like us prosses better than legits.
1963		in T.I. Rubin Sweet Daddy 23: I’ve had semi-legits – but no broads looking for kicks, see.
1972		P. Fordham Inside the Und. 109: Printing [...] was my legit. as a kid.

4. a legitimate place, usu. of entertainment — as opposed to an ‘after-hours’ establishment or a speakeasy.

1957

H. Simmons Corner Boy 15: I will whisper of bars that open after legits close down.