Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

The [[modern]] use of the [[word]] 'jester' did not come into use until the mid-16th Century during Tudor times. The earlier terms to [[describe]] an entertainer that could be termed a jester are 'gestour' or 'jestour', 'fol', 'disour', 'bourder' and other terms. All these early terms described a variety of types of entertainers which do not necessarily equate with the later idea of a 'jester'.

The [[modern]] use of the [[word]] 'jester' did not come into use until the mid-16th Century during Tudor times. The earlier terms to [[describe]] an entertainer that could be termed a jester are 'gestour' or 'jestour', 'fol', 'disour', 'bourder' and other terms. All these early terms described a variety of types of entertainers which do not necessarily equate with the later idea of a 'jester'.

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century]

The [[root]] of the word "''fool''" is from the [[Latin]] ''follis'', which means "bag of [[wind]]" or that which contains air or [[breath]].

The [[root]] of the word "''fool''" is from the [[Latin]] ''follis'', which means "bag of [[wind]]" or that which contains air or [[breath]].

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

:f. laughingstock  

:f. laughingstock  

==Description==

==Description==

A '''jester''' (or [[fool]]) was a historical person employed to [[entertain]] a [[King|ruler]] in medieval times and can also be a [[modern]] entertainer who performs at mostly medieval themed [[events]]. Jesters in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages medieval times] are often thought to have worn brightly coloured clothes and [[eccentric]] hats in a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motley motley] pattern and their [[modern]] [[counterparts]] usually [[mimic]] this [[costume]]. As performers, jesters have used acrobatics, [[storytelling]], [[juggling]], [[music]], and other [[skills]] to entertain their [[audiences]].

A '''jester''' (or [[fool]]) was a historical person employed to [[entertain]] a [[King|ruler]] in medieval times and can also be a [[modern]] entertainer who performs at mostly medieval themed [[events]]. Jesters in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages medieval times] are often thought to have worn brightly coloured clothes and [[eccentric]] hats in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motley motley] pattern and their [[modern]] [[counterparts]] usually [[mimic]] this [[costume]]. As performers, jesters have used acrobatics, [[storytelling]], [[juggling]], [[music]], and other [[skills]] to entertain their [[audiences]].

In [[literature]], the ''jester'' is [[symbolic]] of [[common sense]] and of [[honesty]], notably in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Lear King Lear], the court jester is a character used for [[insight]] and [[advice]] on the part of the monarch, taking [[advantage]] of his license to mock and speak freely to dispense frank [[observations]] and highlight the [[folly]] of his monarch. This presents a clashing [[irony]] as a "greater" man could dispense the same advice and find himself being detained in the [[dungeons]] or even executed. Only as the lowliest member of the [[court]] can the jester be the monarch's most useful adviser.

In [[literature]], the ''jester'' is [[symbolic]] of [[common sense]] and of [[honesty]], notably in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Lear King Lear], the court jester is a character used for [[insight]] and [[advice]] on the part of the monarch, taking [[advantage]] of his license to mock and speak freely to dispense frank [[observations]] and highlight the [[folly]] of his monarch. This presents a clashing [[irony]] as a "greater" man could dispense the same advice and find himself being detained in the [[dungeons]] or even executed. Only as the lowliest member of the [[court]] can the jester be the monarch's most useful adviser.

Author [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Gordon_(author) Alan Gordon] also writes about jesters as advisers to the [[king]], who actually make up a super-[[secret]] spy ring that try to keep [[peace]] and control the [[leaders]] of different countries. The Fool's Guild of these novels is portrayed as a [[mockery]] to the church, and they refer to Jesus Christ as "Their Savior, The First Fool."

Author [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Gordon_(author) Alan Gordon] also writes about jesters as advisers to the [[king]], who actually make up a super-[[secret]] spy ring that try to keep [[peace]] and control the [[leaders]] of different countries. The Fool's Guild of these novels is portrayed as a [[mockery]] to the church, and they refer to Jesus Christ as "Their Savior, The First Fool."

In similar vein, ''buffoon'' is a term for someone who provides amusement through inappropriate [[appearance]] and/or [[behavior]].

In similar vein, ''buffoon'' is a term for someone who provides amusement through inappropriate [[appearance]] and/or [[behavior]].

Originally the term was used to describe a ridiculous but amusing person. The term is now frequently used in a derogatory sense to describe someone considered [[foolish]], or someone displaying inappropriately [[vulgar]], bumbling or ridiculous behavior that is a source of general amusement.

Originally the term was used to describe a ridiculous but amusing person. The term is now frequently used in a derogatory sense to describe someone considered [[foolish]], or someone displaying inappropriately [[vulgar]], bumbling or ridiculous behavior that is a source of general amusement.

The term originates from the old Italian "''buffare''", meaning to puff out one's cheeks that also applies to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouffon bouffon].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jester]

The term originates from the old Italian "''buffare''", meaning to puff out one's cheeks that also applies to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouffon bouffon].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jester]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]