Buffon
/ˈbʌfən/noun
An obsolete English spelling of “buffoon,” meaning a foolish or clownish person.
Did you know?The word entered English through Renaissance theater culture, where Italian comic performers known as buffoni helped define the stock clown figure of the commedia dell’arte.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin / Medieval Romance
Latin/Romance
buffare
“To puff, blow, or swell; an expressive sound-based verb associated with inflated cheeks or comic gestures.”
16th Century
Italian
buffone
“A jester, clown, or professional comic performer.”
16th Century
French
bouffon
“A buffoon or court entertainer, borrowed from Italian.”
16th Century
English
buffon
“An early English form meaning a clown or ridiculous person.”
17th Century onward
English
buffoon
“The standardized spelling, referring to a foolish, ridiculous, or clownish person.”