farceur

American  

[fahr-sur, far-sœr] / fɑrˈsɜr, farˈsœr /

noun

farceurs plural

1. a writer or director of or actor in farce.

2. a joker; wag.

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farceur British  

/ farsœr /

noun

1. a writer of or performer in farces

2. a joker

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• farceuse
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• farceurs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of farceur

1775–85; < French, Middle French, equivalent to farc ( er ) to joke, banter (derivative of farce farce ) + -eur -eur

Explanation

A farceur is a comedian or jokester, especially one whose specialty is broad, satirical comedy. Your teacher may call you the class clown, but you can insist on being known as the farceur of the freshman class. Use this word for anyone who really makes you laugh, as well as people who write or perform hilariously clever spoofs and satires. Farceur is derived from the French farce, "comic interlude in a play," or literally "stuffing," and its root, farcire, "to stuff or cram."

Example Sentences

He began as the disillusioned farceur of “Roger & Me,” in 1989.

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2020

What might life be like in a country helmed by a genuinely funny comedian, rather than a farceur?

From The Guardian • Aug. 25, 2019

This isn’t just because Simonischek, a master farceur, gives even Toni’s nuttier shenanigans their own bizarrely persuasive logic.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2016

John Cleese told the Today programme that Sachs was a "sweet man" and a "brilliant farceur".

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2016

Thus, while giving Mr. McKENNA credit for an active invention and some really writty turns of phrase, I fear I must repeat my warning that as a farceur he is below his best form.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 153, October 10, 1917 by Various