buffoons
Ridiculous comic characters
Buffoons are people who act foolishly or clownishly, often for comic effect.
The word carries more contempt than *clown*—buffoons may not intend to be ridiculous: The meeting devolved into chaos, run by buffoons who had no idea what they were doing.
A buffoon entertains others at the cost of dignity, whether knowingly or not.
Comic performers in costume
- jestersProfessional court fools
- foolsIdiots or deceives
- jokersClowns or wild cards
- comediansPerformers who provoke laughter
pranksters · harlequins · zanies · merrymakers · tricksters · mimes · entertainers · performers
Those who fail clumsily
- blunderersThose who err clumsily
- oafsStupid, clumsy people
- doltsSlow-witted people
- dimwitsFoolish, unintelligent people
nitwits · simpletons · dunces · blockheads · numbskulls · nincompoops · dullards · ignoramuses
Italian masked theatrical tradition
- FalstaffComic knight, corpulent braggart
- PuckShakespearean mischief-making sprite
- motleyVaried, incongruous mixture
- scepterCeremonial staff of sovereignty
bauble · pratfall · comic relief · fool's cap · bells · interlude · masque · revels
Servile self-seeking flatterers
- lackeysServile attendants
- stoogesUnquestioning subordinates or assistants
- flunkiesSubservient assistants or followers
- toadiesServile flatterers seeking favor
yes-men · minions · henchmen · puppets · figureheads · charlatans · demagogues · windbags
clowns
Comic performers in costume
comedians · pranksters · harlequins · zanies · merrymakers · tricksters · mimes · entertainers · performers · funnymen
bunglers
Those who fail clumsily
- blunderersThose who err clumsily
- oafsStupid, clumsy people
- doltsSlow-witted people
dimwits · nitwits · simpletons · dunces · blockheads · numbskulls · nincompoops · dullards · ignoramuses · halfwits
commedia
Italian masked theatrical tradition
- FalstaffComic knight, corpulent braggart
- PuckShakespearean mischief-making sprite
- motleyVaried, incongruous mixture
scepter · bauble · pratfall · comic relief · fool's cap · bells · interlude · masque · revels · mummery
sycophants
Servile self-seeking flatterers
- lackeysServile attendants
- stoogesUnquestioning subordinates or assistants
- flunkiesSubservient assistants or followers
toadies · yes-men · minions · henchmen · puppets · figureheads · charlatans · demagogues · windbags · blowhards
buffoonssages
Profoundly learned people
wise men · intellectuals · geniuses · philosophers · savants
buffoonsexperts
Highly skilled practitioners
masters · virtuosos · professionals · adepts · authorities