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Buffoon vs Buffoonism - What's the difference?

buffoon | buffoonism |

As nouns the difference between buffoon and buffoonism

is that buffoon is one who acts in a silly or ridiculous fashion; a clown or fool while buffoonism is the practices of a buffoon; buffoonery.

As a verb buffoon

is to behave like a buffoon.

buffoon

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • One who acts in a silly or ridiculous fashion; a clown or fool.
  • * Melmoth
  • To divert the audience with buffoon postures and antic dances.
  • (pejorative) An unintentionally ridiculous person.
  • Usage notes

    * In the United States the term is used most commonly to describe inappropriate, clownish figures on the public stage; here the behavior of a variety of public figures have caused them to be described as buffoons by their political opponents. * In the UK the term is used more broadly, to describe such people who are held in popular regard but who nevertheless engender amusement with their pronouncements and acts.

    Derived terms

    * buffoonery

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To behave like a
  • * {{quote-news, 1988, January 22, Henry Sheehan, Little Boy Blue, Chicago Reader citation
  • , passage=His mimicry of gay speech and facial expressions is analagous to an Amos 'n' Andy routine, in which white men buffooned their way through incredibly demeaning impersonations of black men.}}

    buffoonism

    English

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • (rare, archaic) The practices of a buffoon; buffoonery.
  • (Webster 1913)