Scaramouch
/ˈskærəmuːtʃ/noun
A boastful, cowardly, or scheming character, especially one associated with commedia dell’arte.
Did you know?Scaramouch began as Scaramuccio, a stock commedia dell’arte character traditionally portrayed as a black-clad, fast-talking servant who survives through deception.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
Italian
Scaramuccio
“A stock comic character in commedia dell’arte, typically a boastful and scheming servant”
16th Century
Italian
Scaramuccia
“A skirmish or minor clash; probably associated with the character’s name”
17th Century
French
Scaramouche
“The Italian comic character adopted into French theatrical tradition”
17th Century
English
Scaramouch
“A theatrical buffoon or swaggering coward”
Modern English
English
Scaramouch
“A boastful, cowardly, or scheming person or character”
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