mummer
Silent masked actor
A mummer is a performer in a traditional folk play or masked procession, typically appearing during seasonal festivals like Christmas or New Year's.
Mummers wear elaborate costumes and masks, performing scripted plays or parading through streets.
The word suggests disguise and theatrical revelry: The mummers went door to door performing their play.
In Philadelphia, the Mummers Parade is an annual New Year's Day tradition featuring costumed string bands and comic brigades.
Drama through gesture alone
- masqueCourtly theatrical entertainment
- guiserCostumed folk performer
- foolUnwise, gullible person
- hobby-horsePet subject or toy steed
dame · disguiser · reveler · troupe · procession · play-actor · gestures · antics
Face-worn concealment
- costumeClothing for portrayal
- vizardArchaic face covering
- veilFabric that obscures
- blackfaceRacist performance makeup tradition
rags · ribbons · bells · cross-dressing · anonymity · concealment · incognito · unrecognizable
Spiced holiday beverage
pantomime
Drama through gesture alone
hobby-horse · dame · disguiser · reveler · troupe · procession · play-actor · gestures · antics · capers
mask
Face-worn concealment
blackface · rags · ribbons · bells · cross-dressing · anonymity · concealment · incognito · unrecognizable · guise
wassail
Spiced holiday beverage
strut
Proud, showy gait
- sequinsSmall reflective fabric ornaments
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
- banjoFretted drum-stringed instrument
accordion · float · spectacle · competition · club · tradition · glitter
dragon
Legendary fire-breathing reptile
- Atlantic CanadaNova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Acadians, Bay of Fundy
- Court Entertainmentjesters, jester, court jester, court fool, fools
- medieval entertainersjester, minstrel, jongleur, troubadour, juggler
- holiday performersSanta Claus, mall Santa, elf, caroler, Mrs. Claus
- Newfoundland SlangCFA, screech, outport, bayman, townie
- costumeswitch, costume, vampire, pirate, ghost costume
mummerspectator
Observer at an event
viewer · fan · onlooker · theatergoer · bystander
mummerorator
Skilled public speaker
speaker · declaimer · reciter · elocutionist · monologist