A roofed, open gallery, usually on an upper level.
In the nineteenth century, the cheap seats at the back of a theatre or in the upper balcony.
Any source of heckling, unwelcome commentary or criticism, especially from a know-it-all or of an inexpert nature. May also now refer to general audience response: "Let's hear it from the peanut gallery."
The upper balcony to which black patrons were restricted in racially segregated venues such as theatres.