好词典

jester

UK //ˈdʒestə//US //ˈdʒestər//

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。)

同义词:clown, fool, joker, comedian, entertainer

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。)