Zanies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A group of individuals who exhibit eccentricity or foolish behavior in a humorous manner
2. Comedians or actors who perform antics that induce laughter through their peculiar or outlandish actions
3. Characters that are comically whimsical, often playing the role of the buffoon or jester in entertainment settings

Etymology: "Zanies" is the plural of "zany," which is the noun for a clown or buffoon, and it traces back to a stock character of Italian comedy. In the commedia dell'arte, the "zanni" were servant clowns who mimicked and mocked their masters, and the name came from Zanni, a Venetian form of Giovanni, or John. So a common Italian first name became the label for a whole family of comic fools. The word passed into French as "zani" or "zanni," and from there English borrowed it, first as a noun for a clown and later as an adjective for something wildly silly. Its relatives are "John" and "Giovanni" themselves, since all three are doublets descended from the same name.

Synonyms: fools, clowns, buffoons, jesters, goofballs

Antonyms: sophisticates, serious people, adults, prudes