Farcical
/ˈfɑːr.sɪ.kəl/noun
Ridiculous in a comic or absurd way.
Did you know?It comes from French theatrical “farce,” originally a stuffing or filling, so the word’s history is literally about something packed in to fill space—just like a ridiculous scene that exists only to cover the gaps.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
farcīre
“to stuff, cram, or fill”
Old French
French
farcir
“to stuff, especially food”
14th Century
French
farce
“a stuffing; later, a comic interlude or joke inserted into a serious play”
16th Century
English
farce
“a comic dramatic piece full of absurdity”
17th Century
English
farcical
“pertaining to or resembling farce; absurdly comic”
Modern English
English
farcical
“ridiculously absurd or ludicrous”
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