farce etymology

Etymology:

The word "farce" ultimately derives from the Latin word "farsum," meaning "stuffed."

Meaning:

A farce is a type of comedic play or performance marked by absurd situations, exaggerated characters, and physical humor. It often involves mistaken identities, slapstick comedy, and over-the-top characters.

Origin:

The origin of farce can be traced back to ancient times in different cultures.

• Ancient Greece: Farcical elements can be found in Greek comedy, such as the works of Aristophanes, which featured absurd characters and exaggerated situations.
• Ancient Rome: Roman comedy, including the plays of Plautus and Terence, often incorporated farcical elements, such as physical humor and mistaken identities.
• Medieval Europe: Farce emerged as a separate genre during the Middle Ages, with the rise of traveling troupes of actors who performed comic sketches. These sketches often parodied religious ceremonies and daily life, and they featured characters such as fools, buffoons, and tricksters.
• Renaissance and Enlightenment: Farce continued to be a popular form of entertainment during the Renaissance and Enlightenment eras, often performed in conjunction with serious plays. It was during this time that farce fully developed its characteristic elements, including absurd situations, slapstick comedy, and exaggerated characters.

Notable Farcists:

• William Shakespeare (e.g., "The Comedy of Errors," "A Midsummer Night's Dream")
• Molière (e.g., "The Imaginary Invalid," "Tartuffe")
• Georges Feydeau (e.g., "A Flea in Her Ear," "The Lady from Maxim's")
• The Marx Brothers (e.g., "Duck Soup," "A Night at the Opera")
• Laurel and Hardy (e.g., "Way Out West," "Swiss Miss")

farce relate terms

• farcical

  Etymology Farce noun a low form of comedy using exaggerated characters and situation

• farce

  Etymology The word farce ultimately derives from the Latin word farsum meaning stu

• forcemeat

  Etymology Forcemeat derives from the Old French word forcer meaning to fill or to st

• farce

  Etymology The word farce ultimately derives from the Latin word farsum meaning stu

• meat

  Etymology The word meat comes from the Old English word mete which means food or

• infarction

  Etymology The word infarction comes from the Latin word infarcire which means to

• farce

  Etymology The word farce ultimately derives from the Latin word farsum meaning stu

• stuff

  Etymology The word stuff has Proto Germanic roots and is related to words like stopfen

• wire

  Etymology Old English wīre Proto Germanic wīrą Proto Indo European weyro to t

• comedy

  Etymology The word comedy comes from the Greek word κωμῳδία kōmōidía wh

• vaudeville

  Etymology The word vaudeville derives from the 15th century French phrase voix de vil

• fill

  Etymology Old English fyllan Proto Germanic fulljan Proto Indo European pleh₂

• dressing

  Etymology Old French dresser Latin dirigere to direct to straighten Meaning T

• staple

  Etymology The word staple derives from the Old English word stapol which means a po

• carpenter

  Etymology The word carpenter comes from the Old French word carpentier which in turn

• victim

  Etymology of Victim The word victim is derived from the Latin word victima which