[3][4][5][6] The act's name derives from two incidental characters mentioned in one couplet of Byron's Don Juan: "Lady Fitz-Frisky, and Miss Maevia Mannish, / Both longed extremely to be sung in Spanish" (Canto XI, LIII.

[11] On 5 March 2008, at a music hall-themed fundraiser on a barge in Battersea, Corcoran and Jones decided to "mess around with a few songs," and performed pastiches of "Papa Don't Preach" (as an operatic aria), "Eye of the Tiger" (in a bluegrass style), "I'd Do Anything for Love" (sung by a young child), and "Come On Eileen" (as a heartfelt ballad.

[34] At the end of the year The Independent featured Frisky & Mannish in a special "Talent 2010" issue as up-and-coming comedians, alongside other rising stars including footballer Jack Wilshere, actress Imogen Poots, politician Nick Boles, musician Eliot Sumner and broadcaster Tulip Mazumdar.

[41] In 2015, inspired by the reaction to their viral short film protesting comments made by Gary Barlow on The X Factor,"[42][43] they created a variety show, Cabariot, featuring guest acts and original songs tackling a range of social issues.

[46] Despite originating and developing the act in cabaret, circus and variety shows, Frisky & Mannish have managed to establish themselves in stand-up comedy, regularly featured as the musical act on lineups of comedians such as Katherine Ryan,[47] Simon Brodkin,[48] Joel Dommett,[48] Josh Widdicombe,[48] Hannibal Buress,[49] Josie Long,[49] Tom Allen,[50] Margaret Cho,[50] Tim Minchin,[51] Seann Walsh,[51] Richard Herring,[52] Stewart Lee,[52] Aisling Bea,[53] Sara Pascoe,[53] Russell Howard,[6] Rose Matafeo,[6] and Frank Skinner.

[64][65] Frisky & Mannish have been called "the mad scientists of pop,"[66] performing "shrewdly crafted, expertly delivered and rapturously received observations" with "the tenacity of a Rottweiler and the charm of a Disney prince.

[80] Other comedians who have expressed admiration for the act include Shaparak Khorsandi,[81] Ruby Wax,[82] Ed Byrne,[83] Dara Ó Briain,[83] Susan Calman,[84] and Sarah Millican.