tummler

[ toom-ler ]

noun

1. a male entertainer, as formerly employed by resorts in the Catskill Mountains, who combined the duties of a comedian, activities director, and master of ceremonies to keep the guests amused throughout the day.
2. any lively, prankish, or mischievous man.

tummler

/ ˈtʌmlə /

noun

1. a comedian or other entertainer employed to encourage audience participation or to encourage guests at a resort to take part in communal activities

Word History and Origins

Origin of tummler¹

First recorded in 1930–35; from Yiddish tumler “one who makes a racket or stir,” equivalent to tuml(en) “to make a racket” + -er; compare Middle High German getümel “noise”; -er ¹; tumble

Word History and Origins

Origin of tummler¹

C20: Yiddish, from tumlen to stir, bustle