[3] Borromeo reportedly coined the term himself from the Western counterpart of the art form, initially pronouncing bodabil as "vod-a-vil", more closely resembling the correct French pronunciation of the word.

[2] The jazz pianist later secured a deal to perform at the Orpheum Circuit, an American theatre chain which staged live shows and featured films.

For three years, he performed at Orpheum theaters under the stage name "Borromeo Lou" in various parts of the United States such as Chicago, New York, Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle often with singers and dancers.

[2] He then became part of the D’avigneau's Celestials with Chinese Americans, Shun Tok Sethe and Men Toy.

The genre was received well by the local entertainment industry which lead to the development of a performance art which would later be known as bodabil.