Cartoonists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. Creative individuals who illustrate and animate humorous or satirical drawings for publication
  2. Artists skilled in creating simple, exaggerated characters that convey comedic stories or critiques
  3. Professionals who use their drawing talents to blend visual art with storytelling in various media, including print and digital formats

Etymology: The word in question traces its roots to "cartoon," a term that originally had a very different meaning than the humorous drawings we associate with it today. In the 16th century, "cartoon" referred to a full-scale preparatory drawing made by artists as a model for a painting, tapestry, or fresco. This usage came from the Italian "cartone," meaning "large paper," which itself derived from "carta," or "paper." These large drawings were essential tools for Renaissance artists planning their final masterpieces. The leap from serious preparatory art to the playful illustrations found in newspapers and magazines occurred in the mid-19th century. In 1843, the British magazine Punch published satirical drawings labeling them as "cartoons," borrowing ironically from the fine art term to describe these humorous, exaggerated depictions of political and social events. This marked the birth of the modern sense of the word related to comic illustrations. The suffix "-ist" attached to "cartoon" forms the noun referring to a person who creates these drawings. It follows a common English pattern where "-ist" denotes someone who practices or is concerned with a particular art or profession—much like "artist" or "pianist." Thus, the word for the creator of cartoons naturally evolved into its current form by the late 19th or early 20th century as the medium gained popularity in print culture. By extension, the plural simply follows English grammar conventions, referring collectively to those who produce cartoons. The journey from large preparatory sketches on paper to the lively, satirical images that entertain millions highlights a fascinating transformation in art and language, reflected in the evolution of this term.

Synonyms: illustrators, animators