court jester

USAGE SUMMARY

"court jester" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a person employed by a monarch in medieval times to entertain with jokes and antics. For example: The King's court jester provided comic relief for all the members of the court.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

X Factor needs a court jester.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Baloute is the King's court jester.

The New Yorker

The medieval court jester watching Art Garfunkel.

The Guardian - Music

I was like a little court jester.

The Guardian - Music

You really feel like a court jester.

The Guardian - Arts

It's merely a court jester, there to amuse us.

The New York Times - Books

You've become the political court jester of American sports leagues.

The Washington Post

On FM radio Cometti found his inner court jester.

The Guardian - Sport

I didn't want to be their court jester any more.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Shaq getting traded to Cleveland to become the Big Court Jester to King James?

The New York Times

Scalia is the Court Jester.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "court jester", consider whether the historical context is relevant or if a more modern equivalent like "comedian" or "entertainer" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "court jester" to describe someone who is merely silly or foolish, but lacks the historical court context or the specific function of providing amusement and critique to authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "court jester" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a person who held a specific role in medieval and early modern courts. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in both literal and figurative contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "court jester" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Primarily found in News & Media, it describes a historical figure who entertained and offered commentary in royal courts. Figuratively, it describes someone fulfilling a similar role today. When using the phrase "court jester", consider the historical context or if a modern term like "comedian" is more appropriate. Remember, avoid describing someone simply foolish as a "court jester" without the element of commentary or social critique. High-quality sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this term, solidifying its place in contemporary language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jester

A shortened, more general term for a court jester.

royal fool

Replaces "court" with "royal", emphasizing the connection to royalty.

fool

A more archaic and general term, lacking the specific court context.

comedian

Focuses on the comedic aspect, applicable in modern contexts.

clown

Emphasizes the performance and often visual humor.

comic

Another general term for someone who provides comedy.

funnyman

An informal term for a comedic performer.

wit

Highlights the intellectual humor and cleverness.

humorist

A general term for someone who provides humor.

entertainer

A broader term encompassing various forms of performance and amusement.

FAQs

How can I use "court jester" in a sentence?

You can use "court jester" to describe someone who entertains and often provides commentary, like: "The king relied on his "court jester" for both amusement and honest feedback."

What's a modern equivalent of a "court jester"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "court jester" could be "comedian", "satirist", or even a "political pundit", who use humor to comment on current events.

What is the difference between a "court jester" and a "fool"?

While both terms refer to someone who provides amusement, a "court jester" specifically served in a royal court, while "fool" is a more general term that can refer to someone silly or lacking intelligence, regardless of their social standing.

Is it appropriate to use "court jester" in a formal context?

While "court jester" is widely understood, it might be perceived as informal or anachronistic in some formal contexts. Consider whether a more neutral term like "entertainer" or "comedian" would be more suitable.