
jester
词源
源自中古英语 'gestour',意为'讲故事的人',进一步源于古法语 'geste'(行为、事迹),最终来自拉丁语 'gesta'(事迹、功绩)。
noun
❶ 指中世纪宫廷中专门负责逗乐君王和贵族的小丑,通常穿着色彩鲜艳的服装,通过笑话、杂耍或滑稽表演来娱乐众人。
“The jester made the king laugh with his witty jokes.”
(小丑用他机智的笑话逗得国王哈哈大笑。)
“In medieval times, a jester was often the only person who could criticize the king without punishment.”
(在中世纪,小丑通常是唯一可以批评国王而不受惩罚的人。)
❶ 在现代语境中,可泛指任何喜欢开玩笑或行为滑稽的人,常带有幽默或讽刺的意味。
“John is the office jester, always making everyone laugh during meetings.”
(约翰是办公室的开心果,总是在会议期间逗大家笑。)
“Don't be such a jester; this is a serious discussion.”
(别这么不正经,这是个严肃的讨论。)
常见短语
play the jester — 指某人故意表现得滑稽或幽默,通常是为了娱乐他人或缓解紧张气氛。
“Whenever the meeting gets too tense, Mark plays the jester to lighten the mood.”
(每当会议变得太紧张时,马克就会扮演小丑来缓和气氛。)
the king's jester — 特指历史上为国王或贵族服务的小丑,象征唯一可以直言不讳的角色。
“The king's jester was the only one who could tell him the harsh truth without fear.”
(国王的小丑是唯一可以无所畏惧地告诉他残酷真相的人。)