Absurd or ridiculous behavior, often intentionally silly or meant to make people laugh; the actions of a buffoon or foolish person.
From Old French 'bufon' (buffoon) plus the suffix '-ery' (meaning the practice or quality of), ultimately possibly from 'buffare' (to puff cheeks), originally referring to ridiculous, puffed-up behavior.
Buffoonery isn't just any silliness—it's *intentional* foolishness performed for an audience, making it the ancestor of comedy, parody, and satire, from court jesters to Saturday Night Live.
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