In ancient Russia, wandering actors were called buffoons who entertained the people in a variety of ways. Thanks to the rich repertoire, the word “buffoon” has many meanings and many synonyms.
Instruction manual
1
Buffoons were actors, they could perform in masks and with dolls, but one thing never changed - the repertoire was usually satirical or comedic. Therefore, the buffoon may well be called a "comedian."
2
The buffoons were famous for their wit - they all have an original answer, a joke, or even a taunt. Therefore, a buffoon could be called a “fun-boy, ” “a mocker, ” and “a cleaver” (“breaking a comedy”), and “mocker”, and “yernik” (from the word “yarn” - to be naughty, act frivolously, sometimes even cynically)
3
In the modern language in this sense, the word "joker" or the shorter "jester" is most often used, a slightly less modern, but popular option is "clown". The steady expression "pea jester" appeared due to the custom of jesters in Russia to decorate themselves with pea straw, and in the Middle Ages the jester usually had a rattle filled with peas.
4
Other modern synonyms for "joker" and "talker" replenished with the jargon "balabol".
5
The synonyms of “buffoonery” that are now quite commonly used are “farcer” (participates in farcical performances) and “figlar” (from the Polish word figiel - “trick, prank”).
6
"Clown" is a follower of buffoon, so it can also be considered a synonym.
7
Some buffoons showed the public real acrobatic numbers - in this case, the acrobat can also be considered a synonym.
eight
Another modern, but slightly rethought synonym is "harlequin." This character of Italian comedies is close to a buffoon in a mocking and mischievous spirit, to that he is also an acrobat.
9
Buffoons were singers and musicians, so sometimes they were called by the name of a musical instrument - "pipe-maker", "piper", "guslar". Among them were also “sopelitsiki” (from the word “sniffles”, he is a pity), “buzzers” (from the word “beep”, another musical instrument), but now you hear these words quite infrequently. The songs, of course, were accompanied by dancing, so the buffoons were called "dancers."
ten
Over time, buffoons turned into "booths" - that is, they did not walk along the streets, but performed in booths specially established for this purpose. In the modern language, even now a "booth" means rude, "buffoonery" actions similar to booths. Well, the one who suits them is called the "booth".
note
The buffoons were also trainers - they performed the festive ritual of driving a bear popular with the Slavs. Therefore, the buffoons were called “bear cubs”. However, later this word began to mean a bear hunter, and in modern Russian has a completely different meaning: a criminal specializing in breaking safes.
